The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-11-12
CATCHING TERRAPlN.

A Clandestine Industry, ut 7 IL Tlmo OF
the Year. Of the Chlocotesguers.
When you see two or three men pull
ing out in small boats from Chincotague
in the summer season, armed with stout
sticks, large bags, and small nets, you
may guess that they are going after ter
rapin- The native term to describe the
sport or business sounds much like
.'turpentine," though it is more nearly
represented by the spelling ''tarp'nir. !"
Cautious persons use one or another
euphonism instead of plain tarp'nin,
because the laws of Virginia forbid the
taking of terrapin ut this season of the
year, and although restrictive laws sit
lightly upon Chincoteague, there is al
ways the possibility of prosecution.
The skillful terrapin catcher knows
where to expect his game by the APP
pearance of the marsh which the Great
ures inhabit. Lying of Chincoteague
at varying distances are narrow rib
bons of vivid green marsh, some edged
with oyster beds, where at low tide
thousands of oysters are in full view.
and all swarming in season with various
kinds of salt water fowl just at this
season you hear the always inevitable
marsh hen calling from the grass of
this damp strip. Yellowlegs, curlews,
and . half . dozen kinds of ducks are
plentiful upon the marshes at one or
another time of year, and the eggs Of
water fowl are gathered here by the
hundred
Chincoteaguers call these marshes the
meadows, perhaps because their luxu-
rious growth of salt grass give them
the appearance of rich pastures. When
the island pastures are parched the ma
tive ponies sometimes swim over to the
tempting greenery of the meadows, q
temerity that the little horses may come
later to repent, since high tide might
make the meadows an unpleasant place
of residence. 1t is upon the meadows
that most of the terrapins are caught.
Students of terrapin nature say that the
young terrnpin, as soon as Matched,
takes to the mud and there lies buried
for year. At the end of that time the
young terrapin comes out to take up
the duties OF active life and encounter
the perils of y table delicacy. The ter
rapin is the water lily of the animal
kingdom, a delicious product of Shiny
ooze. Opportunities for studying the
habits of the diamond back are not Of
the best even here where his kind is
When freshly caught terra
pins are to be kept a season it is usual
to dig hole, fill it with water, and
then surround the hole and small area
of dry land with q tight fence. 1t is
found that the captive terrapin has an
excel lent appetite, and at the approach
Of an attendant with food the creatures
come from their hiding place in the
mud and thrust greedy noses above the
surface of the water. One resident Of
has chosen an odd way to
study the terrapin. He placed . tiny
the size Of two thumb nails in
. well some time ago, and is determined
to keep him there so long as he contin-
mes to grow.
There are many ways of cooking ter
rapin here in the home of the creature,
but none perhaps better than those
practiccd by the gourmets Of Philsdel-
phia, Baltimore and New York. A f.
vorite method is to put the live and
squirming terrapin into the oven and
there to let him bake safely, shut In 50
that the sight of live fortunes may mot
vex the conscience Of the tender hearted
cook. When done the terrapin thus
treated Is served upon q plato. He for
whom the delicacy IL intended lifts the
she'll and seasons the savory mess ac-
,orsling to his own taste.