The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-03
ROUTED BY HUMMING BIRDS.
HOW THE LITTLE FEATHERED FL
RIES RESENT INTRUSION.
MEri"dS of Them Make 1t Warm for n
Stranger Who IgnornntIy Vent
"red Where Indian Laborers Re
fused to Expose Themselves

Su ~ mere indian LOborerS Re
fused to Expose Themselves.
From the indianapolis Journal.
1t was during the writer's stay an Qua
temala that the circumstances occurred
Whlch forms the subject of this sketch.
wandering one day along the banks of the
beautiful Rio Dulce, I arrived at a point
where the dense tropical growth crowded
Gown TO the waters edge. barring further
progress in that direction The footpath
here turned to the right. ana was coon
lost in the deep gloom of the forest Curl
Gus TO know where the TRAN might 'ead
l followed for some distance through
the jungle, which closed above dixie The
arched roof >of a tunnel The trees were
oVersrown with vines and creepers. which
fell in folds like vast green curtain that
swayed gently in the breeze. So closely
woven was this verdant mantle that one
could see but few feet in any direction
From the bosky depths came a medley of
strange sounds; green parrots were NUT
tering in low tones, as though discussing
some weighty subject pertaining to the
family or state, Occasionally the discord-
through the solitude, while from the re-
moter distance came the unmistakable
howl Of the black monkey, known as the
Congo" After a walk of half mile
or such a matter, the path came to an
end at the edge of a large clearing I'm
which ] discovered an extensive banana
plantation or walk" as the natives term
1t. The stalks grew to a height of .iga-
teen or twenty feet. Their broad leaves
meeting overhead formed long shady
avenues between the rows The effect was
charming. Here and there a patch of
sunlight filtered through, Illuminating
bit of messy ground where the dew still
sparkled although it was almost noon.
Finding a convenient log l sat down to
rest and enjoy the novel scene, but the
opportunity for recreation proved brlet;
1 was only fairly seated when my atten-
ton was attracted by strange sound, low
but distinct like the buzzing of distant
saw or rotary plane. An instant later
bright flash passed before my eyes, fol-
lowed in a second by another, this time
accompanied by a spitefu little scream,
and so close that 1 lodged involuntarily.
Meanwhile the quaint humming sound in
creased to a dun roar, like the whirring
of a thousand spindles in a great factory
The air trembled with the beating of my
Rad wings, and every instant my cheek
was famed by the close proximity of the
little creatures, that seemed, to my eX-
cited Imagination, like so many golden
arrows aimed at my devoted head; they
darted here and there with the swiftness
of thought. Unwittingly ] had invaded a
colony of humming birds, and they re-
scented the intrusion with all the ardor of
their impetuous natures.
To say / was surprised by this sudden
onslaught hardly expresses the feeling; /
.ss.l, ~, trVI 81
il, great monster like myself to be set
upon by scolding bird wife! l would
not endure it, so hastily plucking a hand
full of long grass, / rushed to the fray,
beating the air wildly, like boy fighting
bumbebees in a Northern bayfield, but
this only aggravated the little warriors and
they came on with redoubled fury, in twos
and ,threes and tours, driving directly at
my face with inconceivable force Now,
by a bold dash, my main column was
driven back, now my right and now my
left flank was charged, while a detachment
fell on my rear, routing my reserves,
whiStling through the air like darts and
Kissing their contempt in my ears, which
stung, not altogether from the bitterness
of their satire, but from the blows of their
tiny wings and the sharp rebuke of count
less needle-like bills,' The little army was
reinforced every moment.
Verify, more Jealous patriots never took
up arms in the defense of home and fam
lily. They withdrew for "A brief space, but
il was only to marshal their forces for "A
grand charge. Now they came with wild
rush, their uniforms of gold and scarlet |
glistening in the sunlight each little sol
der like a winged gem, but there was lit
Tie time to admire the elegance of their |
costumes. Their Sharpened lances gleam- |
ed fitfuily; in a moment they were upon |
me- again I made pretcnse of defense, |
fchf hnn e args.
striking bIindly in every dlrection-but |
these frantic efforts were all in vain. on |
they came, from all sides at once; my out |
posts were passed, my guards overcome. i
They swept everything before them. Never |
was beleagucred city more completely at |
The mercy of the enemy-but mercy is a |
quality unknown to these doughty though |
dminutive champions Of liberty They |
drove a my eyes with the fury of demons,
q sharp stroke on the cheek, q vicious cut /
on one lip, followed by a savage thrust /
on my neck. l tried to retreat in good /
order, but soon became confused. threw |
down my weapons and fed leaving the |
field in the hands of the foe. 1t was hu-
but from a purely unitarian |
point of view 1t was a good business
move
/ was told afterward by the owner OF |
the walk" that quite a large area re-
NAMED uncut" the Indians positively re-
fusIng to expose their bare limbs to the /
fury of the fiery little colonists. He also
informed me that their presence i'm such |
numbers was accounted for by the proxim-
ity of a grove of Wild orange trees as
they are particularly fond of the blos-
SONS, and have been known TO investigate
the fruit itself, when fully matured SO
deeply interested did l become in these
bold defenders of their territorial rights
that l determined to pay another visit to
the orchard, but taking care not to APP
proach too closely.
Accordingly, the very next day. equip
ped with hammock and light umbrella,
L took my way to the clearing, resolved
to learn what ! could of the habits Of my
intrepid assailants-from a safe distance
cautiously, l swung the ham
mock in a comfortable position under the
branches Of a towering ceiba
tree, just at the edge of the grove, where
might watch their movements without
exciting suspicion. However, the war
spirit still ran high, and few lively sal
lies were made. but, finding no resistance
the hostile feeling soon subsidized, and af-