Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-06-02
IN OTHER LANDS.

The Deep Woods OF Cuba-PeOpled
with Numerous Insects and Ser
pents. Esur Not One Whose Bitc or
Sting rs PofsOnous-A Picturesque
Class who Lave by Burning Char
coaI-An Exciting Hunt for Aliiga-
tOrs-Remarkable wood Craft shown
by q VequerO-A Battle with a Wild
l. Boar.
VALE DEL AGUAcATE, Cuba, May 28.
To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
My fascination for the charms of Cuban
deep woods led my host, Don Manuel, to ar
range for few days wandering among the
almost traekless forests which lie between
the plantation districts all the way from the
central mountain range of the island to the
southern shore along the Caribbean sea; and
we set forth in SUCH valorous fashion and
with such variety and profusion of antique
arms that, had we fallen in with the guardia
civil, surely no explanations or implorations
could have prevented our finally landing in
La Cabana, at Moro Castle, Havana, where
just now the tyrant Marin is croWding the
dungeons with all manner of innocent peo-
pie upon whom Spanish tyranny he's set the
fateful seal of hate.
''Not for protection" gravely remarked
my host; "but this is the old-time Cuban
fashion of country-folk; and besides we may
find some game worth ball or machete-
stroke"
WANDERING IN THE WOODS.
The prospect was an exhilarating one and
repaid for the grotesque way ourselves and
ponies were accoutered. A pack-mule hid
den beneath serons, rush woven panniers and
huge head-gear, upon which bounded and
foated big woolen tassels, was laden with
some grain for our beasts, little charcoal
urn for melting lead and cooking food, bull
let-molds, lead-bars, cutlery, any number of
grass-woven ropes for lettering ponies and
tying our leash of dogs, steels and fints and
punches of dried corn-tassels for striking
fires, few such edibles as might be carried,
and pieces of old canvas for protection from
the dews at night, should we happen to miss
the cabins of the peasantry. Don Manuel,
myself and Jose, the vaquero, who was a
master of Cuban woodcraft, and who ac-
companied us as servant and guide, were
each provided with a savage machete, a
| smaller but none the less ugly knife, a tre-
| mendous revolver and rife whose weight,
length and proportions were appalling. Not
withstanding the don's assuring remark, my
own trepidation was discovered, as I could
see from the merry twinkle of Jose's eyes.
And this led, as we wended our way for
| miles through the little mountain valleys. to
| the revelation of fact which is not general
| Iy known outside of Cuba. This is that in
the entire island there is not an insect or SER
| pent whose sting or bite is fatally poisonous,
nor a single wild beast in all its forests
! which will attack man. The general idea is
| quite the reverse. Among the reptiles the
most dangerous is the alligator, which will
always run if it has a chance, or will only
| devour human being when PROSTATE and
helpless; while among the wild animals only
| one will fight savagely. This is the wild
| boar; and it will never attack a man first.
It must be brought to bay by dogs. Then,
as our little party experienced in good time,
it becomes sort of bowling, concrete whirl-
| wind filled with fire and set with fangs.