The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-07-23

crocodile which had devoured the pig; by
30 doing he would turn Lassa's wrath and
become himself imbued with all the
wisdom and strength of the great rep
tile.
The Waikas protested against the de-
cision. What, kill Carrastara (the An
Gent One), the great crocodile who had
swan the waters of the river for count
less wears and frightened before them
their grandfather grandmothers?
But then the Sukla had said 1t. 1t
must be done. Preparations were begun
for entrapping the great reptile.
A heavy rope strengthened by strips of
manatee hide interviewer, was made fast
to the trunk of a towering bay tree over
hanging the river. The other end was
tied to the middle of stout stick about
three feet long sharply pointed at both
ends. Around the stick were wrapped
chunks of beef, concealing it entirely.
The bait was then thrown among the
rushes, Carrastara's favorite haunt, and
the Waikas retired.
Before an hour rustic of the reeds, a
splash, a lightning of the rope told the
watchers that the bait had been taken.
The taut line was laid hold of, and the
men began to haul the struggling Great
ure in. The water foamed and Kissed,
and presently the huge, hideous bar
nacled head appeared above the water.
The stick had fulfilled its mission, for
after being swallowed at the first pull it
had turned in the crocodile IS throat and
hooked him securely.
In vain he thrashed the water into foam
with his enormous tail-a running moose
was slipped over his head, the other end
passed over a branch of the bay tree, and
IN trice he was dangling in midair, bel
lowing and roaring. But will pass over
the end and over the ceremonies attend
ant upon the eating of the heart.
Let 1t suffice that Wltataly declared
that there was change for the better in
his feelings; that he would embark the
next day on the important tortoise hunt.
In the tulness of his Joy he invited me,
the only white man in the village, to ac-
company him.
Sunrise saw us in a large sea- going
masted dory or dug out, with a crew of
six Warkias, sklmming over the spark
ling Caribbean, bound for the Gays of
s'La Rueda.''
1t was pI atty from distance. was ia
Rueda,' with its dazzling white beach
fringed with plumy palms and wavy
cocoanut trees, but on landing its barren
ness was apparent and depressing.
Provisions being needed for supper
Witatala despatched his son, young
Quiia, to secure some turtle meat.
With two paddlers Quila and l. en-
barked in a small pit-pan and were pad
died slowly among the Gays surrounding
the island.
Quila stood at the bow with uplifted
harpoon, while with the other hand, held
behind his back, ne directed by signs the
padclers' movements
Presently he motioned that the pad
ding bequiet. Silently he stole toward
a large green turtle floating laZily- on the
surface.
When we were within about fifty yards
it perceived US and sank deep into the
water. The pit-pan dashed forward
where it had sunk, and there. near the
bottom, we saw through the wonderfully
transparent water the turtle sliding along
at almost incredible speed.
Along sped the pit-pan directly above
it, Quila patiently waiting until the tnr-
tie would have to rise Tor air.
For twenty minutes we lodged in anC
ont among the Gays, when suddenly
Quila's arm flashed down through TIT
air, the triangular spear transixed the
turtles shell, and the great green fellow
was hauled kissing aboard.
81 show you now how Waika men
Jump turtles" said Quila. as he
grinned acknowledgement of the com.
pliments paid his skill.
Divesting himself of his garments, he
again took his place in The bow, peerinl
INTO 1.-THE water.
CuQUenlN ne UldQ6 an EXCLAMATION. Gn(
with tremendous splash dived deep on
Of sight. A few seconds later he appeared
putting and blowing, with a good-sizet
hawksbill held firmly in his hands.
This turtle Jumping is considered
the highest art of turtle catching amonl
the Naikas, the danger from jagged
coral reefs, sharks, and the bites iron
the turtles themselves rendering it es
pecislly perilous.
At dark / was to witness the great soor
OF securing the tortoise shell OF commerce,
and good sport / found it.
Witatala ana / concealed ourselves
among the bushes lining the beach t.
await the arrival of the female tortoises
who choose the night to lay their eggs
+ Other hunters secreted themselves aions
the moonlit shore.
Presently saw a huge turtle slowl,
crawling up the beach. It stopped, and
raising its head, emitted a loud hissinf
sound TO brighten away, so Witatala said
any unseen enemies.
Everything was quiet and the turtl,
slowly advanced, It's enormous head raised
to the full stretch of its neck, high in tn,
air.
Again it halted, and, finding all wa.
quiet, began TO make hole in the sand
working with great dexterity, moyirs
the sand from under her body alternately
with each f1apper, as with large ladle.
A cavity two feet deep was dug in les.
than ten minutes, and in this she laid he,
eggs.
Then she carefully filed the hole witt
sand, covering the eggs, and with he