Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-05-14
PIGS FOR CALICO.
n Comical Scene in Tahiti-Ten Length
for Ten Hogs.

"a NoInlcal scene IN Iahlcl-Ten Lengths
for Ten Hogs.
Our good ship Bess lay at anchor full
eight miles from shore.
In two boats, filed 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 rowed
through. the softly curving inlets, and
soon saw throngs of natives filing to
the beach, bearing upon their heads
trays and rude baskets heaped with
tropical luxuries-
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 Wide Awake
AS we came nearer stalwart natives
leaped into the heavy surf and bore me
upon their shoulders to the beach, where
wonder-eyed women and children stood
ready to offer us refreshment.
This over, our treasures of barter
were Xhibited-knives, scissors. combs,
pins, tinware, gay ribbons and bright
cotton goods. Nothing was regarded
with such covetous eyes as n 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. grotesque old men and women
with pipes and canes, flags, rings, bugs
and birds. frogs, toads and gay butter
Co., II
divers colors in strongly contrasting
shades and tints; it was as if earth, sea
and sky had offered tribute.
Lasu, a mighty Tahitian chieftain,
read in the eyes of his ten obedient
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-
hange. 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 in
one entire length
The men, returning with their squirm-
ing, squealing burdens, ranged them
selves in 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 merriment.
The mate stood ready with the roll,
when one pig breaking loose gave the
cue for freedom, and higglcty, pigglety!
the whole of them frantically freed
themselves and ran for the woods, the
fol1nyrirTr emit w n11U
unable, through convulsive laughter, to
Immediately regain their fleeing mer-
chandise. This trial of athletes, quad
ruped and biped, babe fair to occupy
the whole day, but since Lasu had so
decreed, nothing further could be done
until this opening trade had been salts
factorily settled.
In vain the captain argued, with
Hans Hutmerger for interpreter, that
one pig amply measured with due al
lowance for squirming, and ten such
lengths given with q balance in the
chiefs favor, would make every point
satisfactory.
No; each little beast should be meas
ured-upon that point old Lasu was
firm. And finally each pig was again
a prisoner in arms, and had its feet
firmly tied with strong cord; the crea-
ture was then laid upon the sand and a
small lad put astride it's back; at the
tail of each captive was stationed a 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 hundredth part of an inch
should be lost.
Now all in line, again the mate pro-
ceeds to duty; Lasu's dark, handsome
features beam with inward joy; 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 larder amply compromising
for all orr trouble.