The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-10

ouSy tortured place in the world. 1t Is
a CITY Of soldiers barracks, with off,
GERS residences in the middle, the whole
oeing surrounded by @ fence Of iron
plckets twelve feet high. Inside OF the
fence Is a stone wall.
The city can only be approached by
the sarages from the south. inasmuch
as they have no vessels, and from that
direction they must pass the line Of
forts. which are fourteen in number.
Each fort is surrounded by tall wooden
palings. Outside Of the palings are two
barbed-wire fences ten feet high. The
fences are only four inches apart and
the 'barbs are closely set. Outside OF
this Is a queer sort of barrier Of wire
net twenty feet in width. and not very
high but SO intricate that to go through
1t Is practically out or the question.
Outside Of this barrier again Is hedge
of the plants known as Spanish bayo-
nets. set as thick as possible and thirty
feet wide. This is considered impassa-
bic by the natives, who can neither
scale nor go through It. A small pas
sage way, closely guarded, gives access
to the fort. If one or the forts is at
tackled. or threatened, notice Is at once
sent by telegraph to Kota Radja, and
reinforcements are dispatched by the
railroad from the city.
Sumatra Is one of the largest islands
IN the world, and has population of
100000. Respecting some Of the tribes
In the interior, hardly anything is
known. inasmuch as the island has been
crossed by white men only two or three
times. The immediate neighborS Of the
Acheenese are the Battaks, a most in
teresting race OF caun1bals, who are
quite civilized of their way, having q
written language OF their own. They
know how to make fire arms even boring
their own gun barrels. Also, they carve
gun stocks In correct style, and are ac-
Quainted with the art OF making powder.
ihey hnd their own sulphur and salt
peter, using pieces Of bamboo for cart
ridge cases and bits OF coral for bull
lets. They are excellent agriculturists,
and raise cattle. In addition, they are
clever gold and silversmiths, making
hllgree work. and weaving gold thread
The Battaks only eat prisoners of war
or bad criminals. Formerly the habit OF
cannibalism among them was more uni
Versal. and human flesh used TO be sold
In their country in open market, some
chlefs eating 1t daily as a matter of lik-
Ing. 1t is considered the greatest pos
sible insult to n foe or punishment to
a person guilty Of a grievous crime to
eat him. Besides. the question of econ
omy Is considered. AT n feast 1t was
cheaper to slaughter six slaves at 100
gu!lders than to Kill Sin buffaloes at $50
guilders When-a distinguished person
died. two individuals customarily went
through lot of 'bufooneries at the
Eraveside, after which they were killed
and laid in the excavation the coffin
being placed on top of them. Canni-
balism Is more or less mixed up with
the religion Of these people, who have
their wizards and witch doctors to prac-
tice lamentations.
The Battaks build houses OF planks
ana strong beams. placing them on piles
for the advantage thus given In defend
ing them. Many Of their villages are
on almost inaccessible plateaus formed
by the broadening OF "a mountain range
commonly they are surrounded by pal
lsades, with watch towers. Much art
ana industry are put into the carving
and painting OF the woodwork Of the
houses. An outbuilding serves as a
sleeping place and council house, rice
being stored In the upper part. No
light is kept at night for fear of at
tracing ghosts, but la emergency CIR
dies of resin are used. Communal houses
serve as sleeping places for the unmar-
ried men, sometimes 100 Of them to-
gether. Here are hung up the heads OF
slain enemines and other trophies
Nearly all Of the highest peaks In
Sumatra are volcanoes, and most of
these are active. In the immediate
netghborhood of these mighty chmneys,
which hurl out masses of ashes and
stone. are the fertile lowlands. with a
dense population. The destruction of
10000 human lives by the eruption OF
Sumbawa In 1915. and the washing away
of $4,000 human lives by tidal waves"
following the eruption OF Krakatoa q
1888. are no solitary instances. In addi-
ton to volcanic eruptions. there are
frequent devastating earthquakes and
tornadoes, making the island veritable
cockpit of the destructive forces OF
nature. From the moist and fertile
earth spring wonderful forests, which
have been styled the gardens of the
sun"-enormous forcing houses crowded
with vegetation and filled with rare and