Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-11-25
HUNTERS or cAoUTcHouc.
- Risks Run by Men In Quest OF the
Milky Sap.

Oo6ta hlca are the most irresponsible n
ignorant Of creatures, whose first object,
when out on an expedition, is TO secure as
anch caoutchouc as possible, and next to
damage the prospects of other Yularoes,
regardless of the future. A thrifty tree at
is first cutting ought to yield not less than
fifty pounds Of rubber; but the hunters
q today find few so profitable, unless
they penetrate far into the virgin for
osts, and are fortunate enough TO dis
cover an entirely new district. In the
sections already worked most Of the trees
have been tapped several times, and
MANY of them were spoiled at the outset
by having been cut too young because its
greedy discoverer feared that if the prize
we're left to attain perfection another
might secure it. Were the matter regu-
lated by judicious laws, so that only ma
lure trees might be tapped, and those not
10 an extent TO cause death, the produc-
ton of caoutchouc would soon be a
source of wealth to the republic. The
Costa Rican government begins TO be
alive to this fact, and has recently offered
extensive grants Of land to any who will
devote themselves to the culture of rub
Der trees.
Among the inhabitants Of Central
America the Yularoes form a distinct
class, by all odds the lowest in the coun-
try, unless it may be the Caribs Of Guat-
emala or the pearl divers of the western
coast. They are mostly half breeds or
negroes, for white meR seldom engage in
il, though the business might be made
extremely profitable. A Yularo can be
distinguished at a glance from natives Of
other professions" as easily us a cowboy
in genteel society or n miller fresh from
his mill, not only by his general mir Of
dare devil don't-care-itiveness but by
the thick coating of caoutchouc that
covers his clothing from head to foot.
This extra coating accumulates grad
ually by contact with the rubber trees,
without intention. on the pmt Of the
wearer, and in time renders his garments
absolutely waterproof and almost indie
structible.
The hunters are fitted yut by the
shrewd tl=ders Of ParismiI 4. much AS
American miners used to be supplied
with grub stake" in ther search for
precious metals. Each ularo is pro-
vided with a gun, a quantity uf ammu-
milton. a boat and a sufficient supply Of
salt, -four and pork to sustain him from
two TO six months. All this is charged
to his account at the highest market
price, and in return he stipulates 10 sell
10 this same accommodating dealer, at
some fixed sum per pound, all the caout-
chouc he may collect during his trip.
A journey to the woods may occupy
weeks or months, according TO the will
of the Yularo, after which he returns TO
the village, not to leave il again till the
last cent is spent which he has earned, or
can beg, steal or borrow, and all tho
credit exhausted that he can obtain by
promises upon the next expedition. II is
not strange, however, that they are reluc-
tan to return to such dangerous exiles,
for under every leaf Of the tropical for
est some venomous creature is lurking,
and eternal vigilance is the price Of safe
ty. The hunters life is little above that
of the wild beasts, whose bowls make
night hideous around him, and he is con-
stantly exposed TO q thousand perils,
seen and unseen. Not only are there
hungry jaguars and pumas, wild bears
and other powerful animals, but, more
70 be dreaded, are the deadly reptiles,
sone Of them no longer than your hand.
There are tiny lizards. the exact color of
the leaves under which they hide. whose
bite is fatal; innumerable bugs, beetles
and insects, many of them more danger
Gus than the RATHER Of our northern
wilds, which at least gives some warning
OF his intention 10 strike, while even
more 10 be feared than the monstrous
crocodiles of the lagoons and the enor-
nous serpents Of hugging proclivities,
are the fevers that nightly stalk abroad,
with the noxious yapor of the terra
caliente.
Aside from the scant rations he brings,
the Yularo's food consists mainly Of wild
hogs, OF such other animals as he may
be able TO Kill, eked out by tortillas. and.
as an occasional luxury. a dish of red
beans stewed in fat. Monkeys are con-
sidered the choicest Of morceaux, par
ticularly the large red species, which are
as highly relished b. the hunters as are
raccoons by southern darkies. or Thanks
giving turkeys by New Englanders.
The Yularo has no other implement
than a short rope Of cactus fiber, Of his
own twisting, and a huge machete-the
latter a rude sort Of sword OF knife which
every Central American who is engaged
in any N door occupation carries upon
all occasions. The hunter ties one end
of the rope around his waist, throws the
other over the lower branches and scram-
bles up the tree, machete in hand. Hav-
ing reached a convenient limb he secures
himself by means Of the rope and pro-
oeeds 10 make an incision in the tree,
from whish-gradually letting himself
downIard-he cuts a deep channel
through the thick bark, around the trunk
10 the ground. In most cases the care
less fellow cuts much deeper than is
necessary, thereby running the future
usefulness Of the tree, for IL a penknife,
or even a pin, he thrust into a thrifty
young tree the "milk" spurts out in copi-
GU flow.
The yellowish white Juice resembles
good, rich cream more nearly than my
thing else. II the tree Is fully grown
and has never before been tapped the sap
will flow from the incision in streams,
- L.. - $500