The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-12-10
OUR ''|- BOYS AND GIRLS.
INTERESTING MATTERS FOR
YOUTHFUL READERS. an
With the Australian AborIglnes--
Sultan's Unfortunate End--A
Very Fine FIddle--Train
the Girls.
with the Australian Aborigines,

With the Australian Aborigines.
Carl Lumboltz, the distinguished
traveller, is narrating in a contempor-
airy his experiences amongst the abor-
glnes OF Australia. Hesays:-
Large snakes, and the flesh OF fish,
cattle and man are all prepared for
food in an interesting manner. First
hole is made in the ground about
one foot in depth, and in it fire is
built. Upon the fire stones are laid,
and over the stones fresh green leaves.
The leaves ofthe so-called native ginger
are used when available. Upon these
the meat is placed, and covered with
more meat and more hot stones. TIE
earth which has been dug out is then
spread over the whole, which then as
sumes the appearance OF an aunt-hill.
Should the steam escape through
any assure, the vent is covered up and
made tight as soon as discovered.
The baking is now permitted to go
on undisturbed. The natives seem to
know precisely when the meat is
done; they never make mistake.
The hot stones develop an intense
heat, which gradually bakes the food
thoroughly, at the same time preserv-
ing all it's flavor.
On opening this primitive oven, the
outer leaves are found to be scorched,
while the inner ones are fresh and
green, and give the dish a most invit-
ing appearance. Beef prepared in
this manner is really excellent, and if
leaves OF the ginger plant are used,
that gives the meat a peculiar
plquant taste which is very appetis-
Ing. ~ +
During my stay among the savages
I adopted this mode Of preparing my
salt beef, after letting it soak
in brook over night to freshen
it.
1t should be observed that the ma
tives stand in mortal dread OF pois-
onous snakes, and never eat them. II
they try to kill one they do so by
throwing missiles from distance.
They were much surprised whenever
they. saw me 90 near a. venomous
snake, and kill it with a stick. On
such occasions they seemed to
realise the superiority OF the white
man.
I,became quite fond of the flesh of
large lizards. 1t is white; fat and re-
sembles chicken both in appearance
and in taste. I cooked the flesh Of
those animals, and indeed all sorts Of
meat, as the natives did-simply by
broiling. Ordinary broiling, and the
above described elaborate baking pro-
cess, employed to cook their choicest
morsels, are the only methods of pre-
pairing food known to the blacks.
They never boil, anything, never eat
anything raw. and use no salt.
think it is quite noteworthy that
while with them did not feel theneed
OF salt-a circumstance due, no doubt,
to the fact that the meat was broiled
instead Of boiled. %
OF all the dainties brought to me by.
the blacks liked nothing better than
the Larvae of certain species of large
beetle. The best are found in the de-
cayed trunks Of old acacia trees, out
OF which the natives cut them with
their tomahawks. They are so fond
OF these grubs that they often cannot
resist the temptation to swallow few
of them alive ,ss
Generally, however, the insects are
thrown on the hot ashes, where they
Immediately cook and become very
crisp. Their taste is very like that OF
all omelette, but found them even
more delicate. ..t. .s
The savages who for many long
months, were my constant compan-
ions, are of medium size and are called
blacks, though in reality they are
chocolatebrown. They are, at present,
the most uncultured human being in
existence, and the lowest in the scale
OF civilization. They have no idols,
no worship, no sacrifice but are in
tensely afraid of an evil power-their
devil whom they call koingan.
They know no numerals beyond
three yongul, yakkan karbo. All
other numbers they vaguely express
by the word "many" taggin They
altogether naked, both in summer and
winter. All their senses are well de-
veloped, especially the sight
Their sense Of, smell is also
acute. In walking through the woods
oAANy WILL O1oOu oc1hS y u udHululs Ol
earth Or rubbish, and by smelling it
ascertain if an animal has passed that
way.
War exists among them in,its most
primitive form. They will lie in, ann
bush and make a sly attack upon a
weaker foe, but do not dare to wage
open warfare upon their enemies.
Woe to the native stranger who
strays into the domain Of another
tribe. If he.is discovered he is merci-
lessly killed and eaten, for human
flesh is priced by them as, the greatest
delnacy.
But the chief danger 1le associating
with Australian cannibals does not
lie in their longing to eat you, but in
their Unsuitable desire to get into DOS
session OF your belongings. ] do not
hesitateto say that an Australian ma,
tive will mercilessly kill amy man for a
pipe Of tobacco, if he thinks he. can do
50 with safety to himself.
A Very Fine Fiddle.
| When the half-dozen little ones were
hungry old Cleophat would take the
fiddle from it's flannel bag and plav q
a tune to drown their cries. or their