The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-18

pale Of civilization or even tracts Of coun-
try utilized by the half-savage hunter of
game. With scarcely change of cloth
ing, incumbered with nothing save the
rude implements Of his calling, the cas-
carillero pushes on through tangled depths
of jungle, over rough and wide-swept
mountains, Drawing furious torrents, and
improVlsing frail swinging bridges of
trees ana tough creepers Ever on the
ebert, with muscles developed and sinews
hardened like steel, facing beasts of prey
and slipping from beyond the Shiny fatal
coil of huge serpents lurking amid the oozy
morasses and foothills, the poor fellow
eludes, perhaps death in dozen frightful
forms, to meet his fate through torture
dying by inches.
Starved to death, his dying agonles are
Knocked by a cloud of chattering brilliant
ly plumaged parrots, scolding and circlng
far above his head and fading gaze. Possi-
bly, some other Venturesome duinine hun
ter may, in the course Of time stumble
over the bleached bones left crumblinl,
meath the half-destroyed ajoupas-the
haunt of the lizard and the deadly tara
ntula.
The main reliance of the quinine hunter
for sustenance In his long and solitary
tramp Is the cocoa leaf, which he masti-
Gates for the strengthening and slim
ulating qualities it possesses. He cannot
hamper himself with cumbersome outfits
IS.
The means are lacking even If he had the
desire to eat the food of the white man.
Rolled in a compact mass and slowed in
his girdle are tucked away the precious
leaves which impart strength and activ-
ity, supplying the place of meat and
bread, enabling him to surmount trials
and obstacles common to the great chain
Of the Cordilleras that would daunt many
a wel-equipped European expedition.
Since the days of the Incas this COCO has
been in common use locally. Among the
mountains of Bolivia ana Peru Indian
Positions, using COCO freely when driving
pack mules over the toughest roads along
the Sierras, even when the "sorocho" pre-
walls, outstrip well-mounted horsemen.
From 30 to 80 grammes are consumed
daily, serving, unlike tobacco, both as
food and stimulant. When an extraordi-
nary demand is required the Indian meets
the exigency by augmenting the quantity
of the coca. The cascarillero constantly
using coca finally looses the senses Of taste
and smell They can eat without repug-
nance most disgusting food and drink
most nauseating draughts.
There are many varieties Of clnchonae,
which the hunter learns TO distinguish
through the texture and complexion Of the
bark. They are red, white, orange, yell
low, blue gray and white, the yellow being
the finest
Although the pay Of the quinine hunter
Is ridiculousy small, II suhlces to meet
the simple requirements OF himself and
family, and as a class they are happy
and contented with their lot in life. n
Is a vocation that IS handed down from
father to son, the elder schooling his pro-
geny in all secrets pertaining to forest
life, and the search for the highly priced
bark. But, despite long years Of expe-
rience, coupled with an intimate knOwl-
edge Of the intricate trails leading TO the
cinchona locations, the Indian hunters
yearly loose their lives amid the bewil-
dering depths OF the dark untrodden jun
giles OF the FAST wilderness furious
tropical storm bursts with the rapidity
Of lightning over the thickly wooded pla-
teau. rushing down the mountain gorges
with indescrbable force whirling stones
and clouds OF dust from the mountain side
mingled with flying debris Of trees ana
tons Of leaves stripped from surrounding
trees. The trail becomes obliterated, old
and familiar landmarks disappear tho
density Of the luxurious foliage prevents
possibility Of catching glimpse OF tho
sun. moon or stars, whereby 20 direct
his feeble footsteps and the ruins OF an
adf0upaF. with q skeleton lying beside the
few implements Of HIS calling. Is eloquent
and startling proof 81 mo dangers con-
fronting the poor native who tolls for
the discovery Of d drug ~ universally In