, 1874-03-01
TURTLE.

green turtle. The former are taken in casting
nets, made Of the pineapple fibre, which is soft
! and glossy as tho finest silk. When the mulles
| are seen splashing il, the shadows, the fisher
man steps through the water aa silently as he
can, lifting his feet high. and, with dexteroua
movement Of the wrist, throws the net so that it
spreads out in the air IS it descenda It is drawn
in fun Of shiny, dancing bodies, which are dried
in the sun, and when they sra 4'ripe,". OF, in
other words, putrid, are used as sauce pfquante
for plantang and caesala.
The turtle are speared By moonlight, aud, Is
wished to see something of the sport, Mr.
Alackey introduced me to a akillful tu1t,er named
Abauhi, who told me it was now full moon, and
SO, if it did not rain, could accompany him that
very night. At sunset watched the dark
mountains on the main across the bay. Not a
cloud appeared above them. At 8 o'clock I
went to Ahauhis hut :. he said when the moon
roso above the plantains We could 60.
1t was one OF those nights in which, say tho
natives, it is impossible to catch fish, because
tho eky has too many eyes. When the moon had
risen above the green-leayed troes, Abauhi came
forth, carrying couple Of long spears. and toll
lowed by two men With paddles in their hands
He led the way down to the beach, and pushed
small canoe into the water He then asked me
1t I could awln, as canoes were often upset in
the turt1c-Bpearine business. I WAS obliged to
reply that could not He seemed surprised at
my venturing at Rli on tho water in such case,
and advised me to 60 home again. Finding
that was not inclined to do this, he placed mo
in tho bottom Of the canoe, holding the sides
with my hands, and told me not to stir after We
had once started.
ia 1rfr inv
we wobbled along in this tilicst OF vessels, it
seemed to me- that only succession OF miracles
kept it from capsizing. But after little while
saw and admired how cleyerly these men pre-
served its equilibrium with delicate touches OF
the paddle and inclinations of their bodies.
Now Abauhi stood up in the PROV, with foot
On esch gunwalc, and the moon shown on his
swelling arms as he threw himself into vigorous
and graceful attitudes. We came to the lonely
sido Of the ialand, where no lights glimrnercd on
the shore, and no voices or music could be heard
Softly 3s gllded Though the shallow waters OUT
side the DARK shadows Of the rocks and trees.
The sweet and balnV air bEeathed lightly on our
cheeks; the night earth uttered ita mysterious
sounds; hushed and still lag the sea, and seemed
toslnile in the moonlight as it elept.
Two morta! hours. and nothing had been seen.
Clouds encircled, and threatened to obscure the
moon. MY joints became horribly cramped
and when looked at tho dim water over which
We PASSED, could not beheve that it was possible
to zee turtle where could seo only the redeo-
tons Of tho stars.
But the two men continued to paddle without
saying word. Abanni remained az attentive
as ever, his eyes lowered and his spear appraised.
Suddenly the spear TRa hurled into the water.
The men gave yell. Something large and
black leap through the air. and fell into the aoa
with pSodisious splash. Ahanhi snatchad up q
spare paddle, and the canoe seemed to fig. In
trout could be seen cloud Of white foam skim
ming along the surface Of the sea. This sup
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