The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-07-07
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EAST INDIAN DERIS.
,1nnssed Buffalo Skins as q Means Of Cross
Ing Rivers.

tnhased Buffalo Skins as n Means Of Cross
ing Rivers.
Ever since the time of Cyrus, and how
I much earlier nobody would now VEN
ture to guess, the people of Asia have
used inflated skins of animals as boats.
The practice may not be so widely
spread as formerly but in India the
skins of buffaloes still serve the natives
for their wherries. They are Called
debris. Their weight is not above SIX
teen pounds, so that they are easily
carried across the country from one
river TO another The cost OF a derl is
ouo,ed at three shillings. An English
traveller relates his experience with
these boats as follows:
The skins used for this purpose are
those of bulloclss, and they are stripped
eff in this manner. An incision is made
in the back part of hind leg, almost
thr whole length, and the skin being
H,(yed off from the hook upward is
t,lrned forward. 1t is like the process
technically termed leasing hare"
except that the skin is cut through be-
low and round the knees and hooks,
the legs being left adhering to the
body.
The hide is then doubled up and
buried for a few days, in order to suffer
so much decomposition as will favor
the separa ton of the hair. which is
rubbed off by the hand or blunt
wooden knife without the abrasion of
the skin. The skin is then turned in
side out, and the eyes and other OPEN
ings are stitched up. 1t is then turned
back again, and the main incision is
sewed up with thongs Of rawhide.
The open ends of the limbs are tied
except one, which is left open as a tube
by which to initiate the skin. The thin
tar procured from the deodar and 9th
er species of pine is then poured into
the skin and shaken until the flesh in
side is well charged with it, and the
SKIN is then WE'LL tanned exteriorly by
sleeping it in an infusion of pomegran-
aSe husks.
When required for use the waterman
blows into it through the hind tube,
and ties up the opening. A double thin
cord is fastened around the inflated
skin, across which the waterman places
Dihincii vi iiio 1iicol, hoIoiHS lAit SITifbp
with his left hand, whist with his right
he manages a short oar, assisting his
passage with his hands and feet,
Sometimes piece of stick is tied in
one of the legs, and left projecting
from it for the waterman to hold jim
stead of the string.
The passenger, with as much bag
gage as he can carry, sits astride the
ferryman's back, with his knees bent
and resting on the skin. When heavy
and bulky articles are to be trans
ported, two skins are brought to-
gether, the ferryman of each laying
hold Of one of the projecting legs of
the other skin; and frame or raft
supporting the burden lies across the
backs of both. When not inflated the
skin is slung over the back, and car
ried about without any inconvenience.
No eXpedient seems equally well
adapted for tho transport of large
bodies of men and baggage over the
most rapid rivers, or as likely to be
servicea BILE as a wreck-buoy or float to
be- carried on board ship.
A couple of deri-nen usually accom-
pany persons of rank while hunting in
the hills in order TO carry them across
and depth of which render the cross
ing impossible without such assistance.
Youths Companion.