Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-09-14
Hunting in Burmah.

| One day, ON crossing some rocky
ground. we came upon an enormous
Demonstration, lying under projecting
ledge, quite supine and in a state OF
apparent lifelessness. AS in this coma
tose condition the snake is quite harm
less, we handled it freely. We could
| feel the bones of some animal beneath
the distended skin. After the shekarries
had cut off the boa's head, they ripped
the body open and found a mountain
sheep inside. 1t was not an inviting
spectacle, as the body of the sheep was
very Shiny and presented horrid. fiat
tened appearance, showing that the
bones were crushed. Our shekarries,
however, thought differently to us, for
they cut the sheep up and carried it to
camp to cook for supper. They also
utilized the boa as food, drying its flesh
in the sun. How the snake ever man
aged to swallow the long horns Of the
sheep was more than we could conceive.
After returning to our tent after q
heavy days tramp in the tropical sun,
with but little sport, Isuffered intensely
from headache and general prostration.
Ny shekarry told me he would soon
make me all right. He went off in The
direction of a village before alluded to,
and shortly returned, bringing an old
and two young women with him. These
people were professionals, who admins
tered the "Hneightay'' to all tired per-
sons to refresh and restore them. This
is sort of shampooing, or, as it is now
termed, massage. They made me lie
on my right side first, of course clothed
i'll scanty attire, and then on my left,
the muscles. cracking the finger
and toe joints one by one, and pulling
tendon in the arm-pits, causing curl
Gus sensation. Then I had to lie on my
stomach while they cracked the bones
of the neck and pressed and manipu-
lated the bones of the skull. Finally
they each walked on me, treading and
on my backbone from head to
foot. 1t was most peculiar treatment,
but it worked wonders. I fell into a
deep slumber which lasted all night,
and the next morning awoke free from
headache, refreshed, and vigorous.
The whole secret Of successful pig
sticking lies in the knack and practiced
adroitness with which the boar is ma
nipulated You must not gallop at the
boar full tilt with the spear held firm,
you would not be able to stand the
shock. The spear would probably be
shivered into splinters or broken off
short in your hand, and you roughly
hurled from your saddle on to the earth,
where the Infatuated hog would soon
gore you to death. You must be care
tul on striking the boar dexterously to
withdraw the spear by quick turn of
the wrist as you gallop on. A skillful
hunter will with one well-aimed thrust
pierce the boar's heart, killing him in
stantly. We managed to kill the whole
drove, numbering seven, that morning,
without any casualty to ourselves. The
tusks are very handsome, and are made
into variety Of articles, such as hits of
laggers, handles Of hunting and cary
ing knives, paper knives, inlSstands, and
candlesticks inlaid with silver. The
workers in ivory carve with much good
taste and execution, the figures especially
being we'll done and life-like. It is in
Eeresting to watch these men at work
they squat OH their hams, curving their
limbs around and holding the ivory be-
tween their feet, using toes, which are
long and flexible, as fingers. Thus
their hands are left free to use in the
actual work of carving. They take
long time to carve any work of special
Importance. A fine set of ivory chess
men. carved in character, each one a
representative Of the piece,
'ften takes more than year to COM
olete. Some handsome sets have even
aiken longer. But time with Orientals
s not valued. The workman is making
lis living and putting in his allotted
pan of existence upon earth, and that
S all he cares for.