The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1874-11-19

ceived by the spectacle. and wer
led to regard the dugong as half 6sl
and half human. The terms mermai,
or norman, signifying . man or wc
man of the sea, are therefore referred
back to very plausible derivation.
We were given to understand by
the Dyaks that the mermaid was !,
creature well worth seeing, aud moth
ing would satisfy our curiosity saw.
making a special trip to the region
where they abounded.
So one bright morning we were of
en- ronte for the mouth of the Rajang
distant about seventeen miles from
the village where we were stopping
Our party made the voyage in three
boats, each Of which was manned by
experienced Dyak fishermen. The
sole means of capture were barbed
spears, shaped something like those
used by the whalemen, and attached
to he sides of the boats by long
ropes manufactured from split bam-
boo.
Upon arriving At the fishing ground,
we wandered about for some time
without finding any trace of our vic
Tins. At length the leader of the
party, who kseS thoroughly how to
manruvre III MI affair Of this SORT,
ordered the oarsmen to steer directly
through the tangled mesh of alga
which grew on the eastern side Of the
river.
He also enjoined on the American
portion of the company the strict
necessity OF remaining firm in the
boat; and our interpreter added that
we were liable TO be thrown over
board without moments warning.
After entering the alga the leader
began to lash the weeds with his
spear, and this proceeding was joined
in by several of his tribe. Soon
afterward there was loud and con-
tinued splashing just ahead of us,
and then several tails were projected
| in air.
The mermaids had taken the alarm
and were hnrrying off in rapid haste
to the other side Of thc current. The
boat which carried US was turned
about, and the Dyaks piled their
oars in pursuit.
"Look! look" shouted DR.. P.
the attending physician at the Gbv-
ernment station, who had been pre-
vailed upon to join our party; "look,
there's chance for somebody"
"Don't speak" said the interpreter,
''but keep your eyes open.'
Our leader stood in the prov Of the
boat, which was fast nearing mag
ni6cent specimen. The mermaid
swan gallan,ly, and when it was
about two and half boat t-leng,hs
from us the Dyak hurled his weapon.
"kras. kras'' he shouted "Pull
hard; hurry"
The muscular oarsmen never pulled
better; the boat darted ahead like mn
arrow, and the animal again quick
ened its pace.
"Prau, jahat, jahat" "a bad boat
altogether) said the Dyak chieftain,
casting daggers' eyes at his crew,
and drawing in his weapon, which
had failed of its mark.
For few seconds there was a
pause. We looked about us and saw
the other boat succeeding better than
ourselves.
"Mari, tombak" Come, out with
your spear) shouted one of the oars
men. As he spoke there was a
splash as of some one darting down
wards very near to the boat. The
next instant tail came in sight
about four yards beyond, then ahead.
"Ano,her chance said the doctor,
exceedingly hilarious.
The crew pulled harder than ever.
The chief abided his time and hurled
his spear. 1t struck just where he
had wished, midway in the neck.
The rope was dawn tight and the
boat headed toward shore. The mer-
maid was caught at last, and, as if
conscious Of its powerless condition,
offered not the slightest resistance,
but was taken in tow as easily rs il
it had been chip.
After landing, the poor creature
was hauled up on the sandy beach.
1t was not dead, and seemed to man
ifest the utmost affection. 1t showed
not the slightes, hostility, and allowed
its captors to approach and to caress
it as though it were indeed pet.
1t bled prefuselv, and whilst its
life was slowly departing uttered the
most piteous means imaginable.
The tears, too, flowed like drops of
water, and the Dyaks were very care
full to secure all Of them in small
bamboo flask.
1t survived about half an hour after
reaching the shore, and then, tossing
its head upward, fell back as dead as
a log.
The natives, after its death, re-
moved the skin, which is Of grea,
value when dressed and manufactured
r