Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-10-26

have persistently withstood all at
tempts of white men to enter into re-
lationS of friendship. AS a consequence
they remain to-day more unknown
than the pigmies of Africa.
The home of the giants is on the
mainland of Tierra del Fucgo. Their
island is nearly as large as the State
of New York. 1t has great prairies,
mountain forests. unknown lakes and
hunting grounds. which the island
dwcllers have kept through ages OK
clusively for themselves, resisting up
to within recent years all efforts of
the invader.
march Of civilization has made its con
quests. White sheep farmers have
overcome by trade where they could
not succeed by force. The OnaS are at
length yielding to the subtle influence
of the Injuries and comforts of civil
zation. The mining camp Of the "pale-
face" is crowding the dusky race back
into the orest-covered low lands and
the ice capped highlands of the in
terror. where they must either freeze or
starvc. at the mercy of the Caucasian
invader.
There is perhaps no race in the world
Wftn Il TT1UTu perfect piTy- sicsrf tievci-
opment than the Ona men. Their
average height is about six feet, while
a few attain six feet six inches. This
wonderful development has arisen
through the exigencies of their life
and the distribution of game. which
make long marches necessary. Tho
Ona men are certainly the greatest
cross-country runners on the American
continent.
The only weapon which these giants
use effectively is the bow ana arrow.
The bow is made of the wood of the
T..
the edge of n shell. The string is
composed of the sinews OF the guam
aco-an animal of the camel species
which resembles Il cross between
goat and an antelope. The tips OF
their arrows are composed OF glass.
This glass they do not make them
selves. 1t is picked up from wreckage
found about the barren shores.
~ whole Ona family participates in
the sports of the chase. The march for
days over wind-swept plains. through
icy streams, into regions seemingly de-
serted by animal life. The women and
children travel in one group the men
in another. Sick and helpless persons
are left behind to starve or support
life as best they can.
When a herd OF guanaco is found the
men creep on their hands and feet
covering their bodies with their robes
TO initiate animals. w men close TO their
prey they rise. throw aside their robes
and spring naked upon the guanacos
killing some with their bows others
by means of knife and club. Some
times they secure an entire herd. Then
begins an orgie OF gluttony which
knows no bounds. Their life is made
up of short feasts and long famines.
THEIR STRANGE LIFE.
Their mentality is of n low order
They are improvident and unprogres
sive. Their houses consist of punches
of branches with skins thrown over
them to afford n partial protection
from storms. Their children are al
lowed to go almost naked in the bleak
cline. even though there are warm
skins with which to protect them.
In physical development, the women
are fit matches for the men. They
bear with them the brunt of the long
chase. and are like American Indian
squaws. the hewers of wood and
drawers of water. The Ona man kills
the game-that is his province; his
wives-for polygamy is practiced
among them-carry 1t into camp. In