The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1871-09-14
Stills.

0QIos
The nature ofthe soil and the charac-
.l.of the streams have brought stills
gerry much into use in some countries.
On the Landes Of Gascony, in France,
they are about as common as shoes.
Over those broad, marshy and sandy
plains the shepherd goes stalking on high
stilts, which will not only enable him to
pass the deep pools and wet places in
his way, but also to overlook his flock
feeding among the low, thorny shrubs
and brushwood with which the region is
partly covered. He mounts his stills,
from the roof of his house or his stable
roof, early in the morning and does not
quit them until night. They are made
fast, not at the knee, but at the thigh, in
such way as to allow the legs to move
freely. He carries a long pole, which
serves several purposes. 1t is his shep-
herds crook and with it he steadies his
steps when necessary, supports himself
when he wishes to rest, eases his descent
to the ground when he wishes to lie
down or sit, and gets up again at pleas
ure. Thus lifted above the earth, he goes
striding like an immensely tall, thin-leg-
ged giant, over hedges and bitches and
bushes, with perfect ease and security,
and sometimes running with remarkable
speed, like some grotesque, half-human
crane.
Races on stills are favorite pastime
in Gascony, and other countries of the
South France.
The people Of Namur, in Belgium, be-
came early famous for their use of stills,
in consequence of the overflow of the
rivers Sambre and Meuse, which period
ically flooded the city streets. In the
seasons of high water, men and women
stepped out Of their windows, going
about their business and making calls, on
stills. These, introduced at first as a
matter Of necessity, at length became a
source Of amusement, and made Namur
famous for one of the most remarkable
games on record.
This was the battle on stills. The city
was divided into two sections, called the
old and the new town, the inhabitants OF
which-like those of many another town
in our day-werc constantly at STRIFE
with each other. Their feuds were of
good natural sort. however, though they
sometimes resulted in some pretty rough
sport.
: The Namurois were fond of games :;
and hundred and fifty years ago the
silt fight, introduced nobody knows
when, was at the height of its popularity.
The c0mbatants, five or six hundred ia
number, divided into two bands, reSul:,
ly Differed, and distinguished by the
color of their costumes, advanced upon
each other in the public square, mounted
on stills four feet high. They were IN
armed; but wrestling, and kicking and
thrusting with the stilt-leg-sometimes a
dangerous weapOn-were allowable The
battle b'gan with the sound Of MARTA
music and the armies were led with gay
banners. Women followed their lovers,
brother and husbands to the fight, their
mission being to encourage and cheer
them on by their presence, TO support
the falling, and to assist the wounded
rom the field.
These battles lasted an hour or two or
longer, the combatants often fighting
with great spirit and determination.
Marshal Sake, who, in l74s, witnessed
one of these encounters, said of it: "Jf
two armies engaged showed as much
valor as the youths of Namur, it would
not be merely battle, but butchery."
Once, when the A, chduke Albert of
Austria. passed through Belgium, me
Governor of Namur promised that he
should see battle in which "the war
riors would ight neither on foot nor on
horseback, and got up a silt combat iol
his entertainment. The Archduke w
so much delighted that he at once ex
empted the Namurois from the payne D.,
of the tax on beoi-a PRIVILEGE WHEN
they enjoy, we think, to this day.