The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1891-06-03
0' I'E PICS rUH URLtOO.
A Comioal Scene In Tahit-Ten Lengthi
for Ten Hogs.

~
for Ten Hogs.
Our good ship Bess lay at anchor 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 Tuhiti; 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 refresh1nent
This over, our treasures of barter
were exhibited@Snives, scissors, combs
pins, tinware, gay ribbons and bright
cotton goods. Nothing was regarded
with such covetous eyes as 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, grotesque old men and women
with pipes and canes, flags, rings, bugs
and birds, frogs, toads and gay butter
fies-all Enthusiastically arranged, and in
divers colors In strongly contrasting
shades and tints; It was as If earth, sea
and sky had offered tribute.
Lasu, o mighty Tahitian chieftain,
read in the eyes Of his ten obedienA
wives their longing for this brilliant
cloth. Calling for Dacto, Lagoo, RooryI
Mintab and half a 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 it's length OF calico; from end od
snout to end OF tail its 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 uproaT
and dini 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 higglety, pigglety
| A. q In az
themselves and ran for the woods, the
surprised men following suit, yet wholly
. unable, through convulsive laughter, tC
Immediately regain their fleeing meF
chandise, This trial Of athletes, quad
ruped and biped, bade fair to occupy
the whole day, but since Lasu had 81
decreed, nothing further could be donC
until this opening trade had been salts
factorily settled
In vain the captain argued, witt
Hans Hutmerger for interpreter, tha'
one pig amply measured with due al
lowance for squirming, and ten sucl
lengths given with balance In TIN
chiefs favor, would make every poin
satisfactory,
No; each little beast should be meas
ured-upon that point old Lasu wa
firm. And finally each pig was agail
a prisoner in arms, and had its fee
firmly tied with strong cord; the crea
ture was then laid upon the sand and
small Lad put astride it's backi at tn
tail of each captive was stationed a ma
Of strength and nerves at its snout az
other man of equal poweri at the exac
moment for measurement these sturd
attendants were TO pull vigorously S
that not the hundredth part of an inc
should be lost.
Now all in line, again the mate prC
ceeds to dutyI Lasu's dark, handsom
features beam with inward ioyI the be
wives gesticulate their satisfaction, th
measuring is accomplished the te
lengths, an uncut roll, are folded an
delivered to the royal purchaser.
After this other exchanges were spec
fly accomplished, the stores received IL