The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-06-26
PIGS FOR CALICO.
i ComIcsI Scene in TahIti-Ten Lengths
for Ten Hogs.
Or1r er,o1 Shin, Ross law - anchor fuia

4 ComIcaI Scene in TahIti-Ten Lengths
for Zen Hogs.
Our good ship Bcss Jay CT anchor ful
eight miles froa shore.
In two boats, filled WITH bright gilt
toring things, we slipped ont from the
craft. and under the floating folds of
the American flag moved through the
waves To Tahiti. nearing the shore we
rolnded the low coral reefs, and rowed
through the softly crrvin- inlets, and
soon saw thronrs OF natives fling 10
The beach, hearing upon their heads
trays and rude baskets heaped with
tropical Injuries.
There were ten in our party three
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 the wife of Capt.
Chaplin, IN Wild, Awake
A> Ivc came nearer stalwart natives
,caped into the heavy surf ard bore me
. upon their shoulders TO the beach. where
wonder eyed women and children stood
ready 70 offer as refrcsament.
This over. our treasures Of barter
were exhibited-kuivcs, scissors, combs,
pins, tinware, gay ribbons and bright
cotton goods. Nothing was regarded
with such covctous eyes as a roll OF
brilliant Calico regular Dolly Var
den pattern; upon an intensely yellow
ground were all manner OF odd and
novel devices. crowns, minute baby
faces. Crotesque old men and women
( with pipes and canes, flags, rings bugs
and birds. frogs. toads aud gay butter
nics- all Enthusiastically arranged, and in
divers coiurs in strongly contrasting
shades and tints: IL was AS If earth, sea
and sky had offered tribute.
Lasu, a mighty Tabitian chieftain.
read in the eyes Of Ais ten obeaieat
wives their longing for TINS brilliant
cloth. Calling for Dacto. LaC0o, KoOry,
Nintab and half dozen others. lac
Gi~DaIched them for ten pigs. young and
tender, these he would offer in eX-
hau-c. For each pig should be given
is.u its len-th of calico, from end Of
-aout 90 end of tail its mcasurement
should be and the gay fabric thus
measured should DE delivered To him in
one entire Ieurth.
The men. returning with their squirna-
ing sgucaling burdens ranged them
selves in q circle Imagine the upr03r
aud din; our sailors, nearly dead with
fun and laughter. rolled upon the
ground, and the captain and myself
were convu1sed with silent ucrrimcut.
The mate stood ready with the roll,
when one pig breaking loc5e gave the
cue for freedom. and higglety, pirEletv,
the whole OF them frautically freed
themselves and ran for the woods, the
surprised men following suiL, yet vh0lly
unable. through convulsive laughter, 10
immediately regain their fleeing mcr-
chandise. This trial Of athletes, quad
ruped and biped, badc fair to occupy
:ac whole day, but since Lasu had so
accreed. nothing further could be done
u;,il this opening trade had been salts
;actorily s-;llyd.
Ia vain Inc captain argued, with
Hans Ilutmerger for interpreter that
one pig amply measured with due al
!owance for squirIning, and ten such
lengths given with q balance n the
chefs favor, would make every point
satisfactory.
No; each little beast should be meas
urcd-upen that point old Lasu was
firm. And finally each pig was again
q prisoner in arms. and had its feet
firmly tied with strong cord; the efea-
ture was then laid upon the sand and a
small lad put astride its back; az the
all Of each captive was stationed a man
of strength and nerve; at its snout an
1hcr man Of equal power; at the exact
moment for measurement these sturdy
attendants were TO pull vigorously so
that not the.hEndredth part of an inch
should hc lost.
Now all in line, again the mate pro-
ceeds to dutv: Lasu-s dark. handsome
features beam with inward iov: the ten
wives gesticulate 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 eompensating
for all our trouble.