The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-04-01

bers of the tribe are required to pass
through a critical examination before they
are permitted TO contest for the much GOV.
eted prizes. During my travels among
the Davatawi tribes of southern Mindanao
I was fortunate enough TO be present at
one of these regattas. The tribal village
where it was TO take place was beautifully
situated on the banks of the Wauketo riv-
err. An arm of the sea nearly surrounded
by land formed an expanse of water sew
eral acres in extent, with a surface as
smooth as glass. It was here that the
sports were TO take place
On the day appointed for the trials the
strip of beach was covered with spectators,
while on the surface of the water an i'm
mense number of anxious contestants were
padding restlessly about waiting the
opening of the trials. At last the judges
of the sports took their position at the
starting point, and after considerable bag
Cling and much yociferous demonstration
the swimming races were quickly disposed
of. Following these came several trials
of short distance padding The canoes
were made from the entire trunks of trees,
under 2 feet in width, 20 feet in length
and standing well out OF the water at each
end. Beneath the vigorous strokes OF
long bladcd paddles they shot through the
water with such velocity that the eye seem
ed following a quickly speeding projectile.
But the swimming and preliminary canoe
races were of minor Importance. 1t was
not for these, but for the great event of
the day-the race over Instructions for a
long distance-that the eagerly expectant
spectators had reserved their enthusiasm.
Stakes were driven in the mud and a
third securely dashed between these two
uprights at a height of two feet above the
water, while others were placed higher, SO
as to allow a space of three or four feet.
These fences were so arranged that 30 or
40 feet of clear water interviewed between
distractions. In the case of those OF low
er elevation it was necessary that the con-
testants should leap them, canoe and all;
in<the higher ones the paddler was obliged
to shoot his canoe beneath the bar while
he vaulted over the hurdle and landed in
his canoe without upsetting it. The mode
of jumping the canoe was this: On APP
preaching the bar the paddler knelt in the
stern of the canoe, so rs to raise the bow
| we'll out of the water, and at full speed
rushed toward the hurdle, SO as to send
the canoe part the way over; then, before
| it could slide back, he would leap MO the
bow, and the weight of his body would
carry it over the obstacle.
AS the bottoms of the canoes are round
| ed, nine times out of ten they heeled over
and prccipitated the occupants into the
water, who Their were obliged to return
and repeat the attempt until the obstacle
had been passed.
The passing Of the higher hurdles was
more difficult and the vaulter fell short a I'D
landed in the water. Then the cancel \
had to make q fresh run" at the hurdle.
When several crews were all struggling
for the one place, it made a most amusing
picture When the winner crossed the
line, he was hailed as a champion and
feasted and feted by the village to which
he belonged, while the disappointed con
testants marched ~sorrowfully across the
hills to their villages to prepare them
selves for o more fortunate denouement
on the next occasion.