The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-22
PUTTING ORoCoDlLEs TO DEATB.
Punishment Inflicted by Mohamme-
dams When These Brutes XIII a Man.

Punishment Inflicted by Mohamme-
dams When These Brutes XIII a Man.
From Hurper's Young People.
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 the wicked and
worthless ones who disobeY his command.
When a man, therefore, has been devoured
by crocodile a professional enchanter
is sent for to try the cannibal mur-
derer and carry out the sentence
OF death, as well as to warn the
other crocodiles. This is q great event,
crowds always gather to witness the cere-
mony, which takes place near a swamp in
Tested by crocodiles. The enchanter, usu-
ally an old native, has great deal TO say,
first to the spectators and afterward to the
reptiles. When he has related to his audi
ence the whole story of this particular croc-
odile's crime, he utters long, shrill cry,
and then sings a monotonous soug, to which
he 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 breathless with ex-
peotatioD, and at last there ia movement
in the water Two pieces of burnt wood
seem to rise to the surface, and are Joined
from another point by others, the enchauter
repeating his cry oil the time. and the darK
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, quite out OF the water, Slowly and
solemnly the magician now begins dance
along the line, muttering to each one in
turn Of his virtues and various good deeds
and assuring him that Allah was well salts
fed with his conduct.
But on approaching the criminal things
are quite changed, and thick hide seems
fortunate protection against such wholesale
abuse. This particular crocodile is made
out to be more wicked than any other Of
his tribe that ever existed. He has been
warned and warned IN vain, and now q lust
punishment will no longer be delayed. The
creature really see MS to understand this un-
favorable opinion of him, for he suuirms
about uneasiIy and prepares to retire into
private life under the water. But the old
man has his eye on him and utters his shrilI
cry louder than ever, which arrests the.rnis-
behaving crocodile at once
Several natives now appear with food for
these animated logs and an especial piece Of
meat, with shark hook concealed ia It, for
the doomed one. It is greediIy swallowed
and the enchanter 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 cr0codiles on
the folly of leading an evil life. Another
sign and the offender is dragged out of the
water by the ready natives in spite Of its
struggles, while its throat is cut by the con-
jurer himself. The well-behaved compan-
ions of the criminal now quietly retire into
deep water, apparently with the unanimous
verdict of served him right"