The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-07-30
Furnishing CROCODILES.
When They Kill = Man, Mohammedan
Put Them to Death.

When They XIII = Man, ohamnedan
Put Them to Death.
Mohammedans believe that crocodiles are
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 tho wicked and
worthless ones who disobey his command.
When q man, therefore, has been devoured
by a crocodile. u professional enchanter is
sent for to try the cannlbal murderer, and
carry out the sentence Of death, as we'll as
TO warn the other orocodiles.
This is q great event. and crowds always
gather to witness the ceremony. which
takes place near a swamp infested by crock
odiles. The enchanter. usually an old ma
tive, has a great deal to say, first to the
spectators, and afterward to the reptiles.
when he has related to his audience the
whole story of this particular ctocodile's
crime, he utters a long. shrill cry, and then
sings q monotonous song, to which he beats
time with his hands. This is all repeated
several times, while the magician bowa his
head to the east and west.
The people are almost breathless with ex-
pectation; and at last there il a movement
in the water. W. pieces of burnt wood
seem to rise to the surface, and are joined
from another point by others, the enchanter
repeating ulS CRY hAl tue tlLue. anu Inc uarh
objects moving forward as long as it lasts.
When close TO the beach they seem to be
drawn up in military style. with their heads,
and here and there a great scaly back, quit"
out of the water. Slowly and solsmnly tie
magician now begins u dance along the line,
muttering to each one in turn Of his virtues
and various good deeds, and assuring him
shat Allah was we'll satisfied with his con
duct.
But on approaching the criminal, things
are quite changed, and a thick hide seems
a fortunate protection against such whole
sale abuse. This particular crocodile is
made out to be more wicked than any other
of his tribe that ever existed. tie has been
warned and warned in vain, and now a Just
punishment will no longer be delayed. The
creature really seems to understand this un-
favorable opinion of him, for he squirms
about uneasily, and prepares to retire into
private life under the water. But the old
man has his eye on him, and uttera his
shrill cry louder than over. which arrests
the misbehavinR crocodile at once.
Several natives now appear With food for
these animated logs. and an especial piece
of meat with a shark hook concealed in 1t
for tho doomed one. 1t is greedily Bwal-
lowed, and the enchRnter makes a signal
for the Malays to draw in the rope to which
the hook ia attached, slowly at first, while
he addresses a lecture to the other crooo-
diles on the folly of leading an evil life.
Another sign. and the offender ia dragged
ont Of the water by the ready natives, il
spite Of its struggles, while its throat is cut
BY the conjurer himself.
The we'll behaved companions of tn,
criminal now quietly retire into deep water
apparently with the unanimous verdict o.
s'sarved him right."-Harper's Young Peo-
ple.