The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-04
PUTTING cRocoDlLgs TO DEATH.
Punishment Inflicted by NIolammet,au
When These Brutcs Kill u NInn.

punishment Inflicted by NIohammetiars
When These Brutcs Kill IL Nnn.
Mohammedans believe that crocodiles arc
especially protected by Allah, and that it
Is wicked to kill one of them except for
just cause; also that their great Protector
has strictly forbidden them to eat his
human children, and it is only the wick cti
and worthless ones who disobcy his COM
nand. When IL man, therefore, has been
devourcd by n crocodile, II professional en-
chanter is sent for TO try the cnnnibal
murderer and carry out the sentence OF
death, us well rs to warn the other Greco.
diles.
THIS IS great event, and crowds always
gather to witness the ceremony, which
t;ikcS place near Il swamp infested by croc-
oulles. The enchantcr, usually an old ma
tive, has Il great deal to say-first to he
spectators and aftcrward to the reptiles
When he has related to his audience Tie,
whole story of this particular crocodilc'e
crime, he uttcrs long, shrill cry, and thcn
Sings monotonous song, to which lie beats
time with his hands. This is all repeated
several times, while the magician bows his
head to the east and west. The people are
almost brcathlcss with expectation, and u;
last there is II movement in the water.
Two pieces of burned wood seem to rise 10
the surface, and are joined from another
point by others, the cnchanter rcpca;in..
his cry all the time, and the dark objects
moving forward as long as it lasts. When
close to the beach they seem to he tlrayl
up i'll military style with their heads. and
here and there Il great scaly back, quite
out of the water. Slowly and solcnnlv
the magician now begins IL dance along he
line, muttcring TO cic$Ane in turn of his
virtues ami various good deeds and assur-
llii l,,lt A Hall,
his conduct.
But on approaching the criminal things
are quite changed, and n thick hide seems
Il fortunate protection against such whole
b'le abuse This particular crocodile is
made out to be more wicked than any
other of his tribe TINT ever existed. He
has been warned and warned in vain.
and now II just punishment will no longer
he delayed. The creature really seems tn
understand this unfavornble opinion of
nm, for lie squirms about uneasily and
prepares to retire into private life under
the water But the old man has his eve
on him and uttcrs his shril crv louder
than ever, which arrests the msbehavirc
crocodile mt once.
Several natives now appear with food for
these animated logs, and mn especial piece
OF meat, with Il shark hook concealed in il.
for the doomed one. 1t is greetlily swat
lowed, AID the enchnntcr makes a signal
for the A!alays to draw in the rope to which
the hook is attached, slowly ut first, while
he addresses II lecture to the other croco-
dies on the folly of leading an evil life.
Another sign and the offender is drnyc.c,l
ouo Of the water by the ready natives in
spite Of its struggles, while it's throat is;
cut by the conjurcr himself. The well be-
haYcd companions of the criminal now
quietly retire into deep water, apparently
with the unanimous verdict of "serve,I
him right. "-Harper's Young People