The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-27
PIGS FOR CALICO.
Comicnl Scene In Talilti-Tcn I.cngt
for Ten Hogs.

Comical Scene In Tahlti-Ten Lengths
| for Ten Hogs.
Our good ship Boss luy ut nnchor full
| eight miles from shore.
In two boats, filled with bright, gilt
tering things, we slipped out from the
craft, and under the floating folds of
the American flag moved through the
waves to Tahiti; nearing the shore we
rounded the low coral reefs, and rowcd
through the softly curving inlcts, and
soon saw throngs of natives filing to
the beach, lEaring upon their heads
trays and rude baskets heupcd with
tropical Injuries.
There were ten in our party-thrce
sailors with us and five in the other
boat under charge of the mate, and both
boats were loaded with the wares we
expected to exchange for poultry, pigs
and fruits, writes tho wife of Capt.
Chaplin, in Wide Awake.
AS we came nearer stalwart natives
lcapcd into the heavy surf and bore me
upon their shoulders to the beach, where
wondcr-cycd women and children stood
ready to offer us refreshmcnt.
This over, our treasures of barter
were eXhibted-l1nivcs, scissors, combs,
pins, tinware, gay ribbons and bright
cotton goods. Nothing was regarded
with such covctous eyes as roll of
brilliant calico-a regular dolly Var
den" pattern; upon an intensely yellow
ground were all manner of odd and
novel devices, crowns, minute baby
faces, grotcsquc old men and women
with pipes and canes, flags, rings, bugs
and birds, frogs, toads and guy butter
Hinc-nn
divers colors in strongly contrasting
shades and tints; it was Us if Garth, sea
and sky had offered tribute.
Lasu, a mighty Tahitian chicftain,
read i'll the eyes of his ten obcdicnt
wives their longing for this brilliant
cloth. Calling for Dacto, Lagoo, Roory,
Mintab and half dozen others, he
dispatched them for ten pigs, young and
tender; these he would offer in ex-
hangc. For each pig should be given
him its length of calico; from end of
snout to end of tail it's measurement
should be, and the gay fabric thus
measured should be delivered to him i'll
one entire length.
The men, returning with their squirm-
ing, squcaling burdens, ranged them
selves i'll circle. Imagine the uproar
and din; our sailors, nearly dead with
fun and laughter, rolled upon the
ground, and the captain and myself
were convulsed with silent mcrriment.
The mate stood ready with the roll,
when one pig breaking loose gave the
cue for freedom, and higglcty, pigglcty!
the whole of them frantically freed
themselves and ran for the woods, the
surprised men following suit yet wholly
unable, through convulsivc laughter, to
Immediately regain their fleeing mer-
chandisc. This trial of athletes, quad
ruped and bipcd, badc fair to occupy
the whole day, but since Lnsu had so
decrccd nothing further could be done
until this opening trade had been salts
factorily settled.
In vain the captain argued, with
Hans lIutmcrgcr for interpreter, that
one pig amply measured with due al
lowance for squilrning, and ten such
lengths given with a balance in the
chiefs favor, would make every point
satisfactory.
No; each little beast should be meas
ured-upon that point old Tasu was
firm. And finally each pig was again
a prisoner in arms, aud had it's feet
firmly tied with strong cord; the crca-
ture was then laid upon the sand and
small lad put astridc its back; at the
tail of each captive was stationed man
of strength and nerve; at its snout an
other man of equal power; at the exact
moment for measurement these sturdy
attendants were to pull vigorously SO
that not the hundrcdth part OF an inch
should be lost
Now all in line, again the mate pro-
ceeds to duty; Lasns dark, handsome
features beam with inward Joy; the ten
wives gcsticulatc their satisfaction the
measuring is accomplished the ten
lengths, an uncut roll, are folded and
delivered to the royal purchaser.
After this other exchanges were speed
lily accomplished, the stores received for
the ships lardcr amply compcnsating
for oil or trouble.
Railroads in Switzerland.