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

demand throughout the length and
breadth Of the globe
Occasionally a number of hunters will
pool their interests, starting out in COM
pany as a greater protection against dis
aster. Upon reaching a desirable spot
where the signs Of paying trees are con-
sidered good, preparations for camping
are at once made, a detail looking after
that duty, while particularly keen-eyed
and 1.-THE hunters pick out the loftiest
trees from the tops of which they scan
the forest quickly locating clumps of the
precious Clnchonas.
Then IL is the musical, deep-toned voices
of the cascarileros ring out in careless
chorus through the silent recesses of the
far spreading forest. The ring of axes and
echoes of sturdy blows dealt lofty mon
archs of the Cordilleras mingle in unison
with the weird Indian chant, while the
blazing camp fires threw out CHEEKY well
come to any wayfarer, who, regardless OF
race or color, always are accorded n well
come to the camp of the quinine hunters.
At night, when all labor Is necessarily sus-
pended, the members of the expedition
gather about the well-kept fire. when
many a wild and stirring tale Of thrilling
adventure is recounted by the dusky
searchers as they Toll at ease on the long
velvety grass of the plateau.
The task of gathering cinchona bark oc-
cupies all the working hours between sun
rise and set. The camp is early astlr,
with no time lost In culinary preparations
The making of savory messes and aroma
of strong, fresh coffee Is confined to the
two or three white men occasionally ac-
companyng the party of hunters This
may comprise a botanst sent on by some
European concern to study the flora OF
the comparatively unknown region, an
adventurous traveller or a hard-pressed
prospector in search of the precious met
ais All find shelter and hearty welcome
within the frontier camp of cascarilleros.
Armed with a knife and keen-edged
hatchets the tree is quickly felled with all
hands cutting stripping and clearing the
trunk from the foreign growth cucumber
ing the trunk. This is a task OF no small
magnitude, frequently consuming days OF
constant and patient labor. The sharp
edges of Iance-lilke leaves, mingled with
thorns and huge brers. lacerate and
wound the hunters flesh who are not
overburdened with clothing, their dark
bodies exhibiting a network Of scars and
wounds, the result of their encounters
with parasites and creepers, as well as at
tacks from savage beasts proving under
cover Of the Jungle.
The bark Is removed cut into tiny, curl
ing strips and piled In some convenient
SPOT, where one or more of the party rs
detailed to look after the drying process.
This comparat >fely easy duty Is generally
awarded TO one more or less disabled by
D
lookout tree or station. The thin portions
curl up, drying rapidly, while the large,
thiek slices retain their shape and is easily
packed for transportation When all are
pronounced ready by the "Toreio," or head
hunter Of the party. the bark is neatly
dashed together with deity plated settings
of plated grass and bound with broad.
tough leaves as protection to the cured
bark. Then the Indians and poems shout
der their burdens, oftentimes striking the
home trail with "A weight Of $50 to 200
pounds on their backs, secured by straps
Of broadly plated grass passing around
their foreheads. With their jaws actively
al work masticating the wonderful leaves
OF the strength giving cocoa, these small.
slender native viii travel over a caballero.
100 leagues Of the toughest mountain
trails. conveying their hard-earned qulnine
! treasures 20 market. their hardshipe and
privations nghtened along the perilous
pathway by the aonorOus cadence OF their
native songs. 10 which they time their
sure aud steady pace. IT. -. s.