The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-02-08

a well and got too much salt water
in his throat. That is just about the
extent of these battles. Perhaps
something about the habits Of these
natives will interest YOU. They are
all very fond of fish and rice as a
food. 1t seems to be about all they
eat. Yet on New Year day great
many had roasted hog 1t amused
me to see them roast it. After dress
ing (Which is done just as done in
the States) it was placed on long
bamboo pole and put up on two
forked sticks, a slow fire in under
and several natives at each end of
the pole, which they turned con-
tinually until the hog was nice and
brown. Then came the division.
One old lady who seemed more
poor than the rest was allowed to
carry off the ears. One party had
the inner portion in bowl. 1t had
been boiled over another fire. This
was used as dressing. Well all
seemed to be we'll pleased. These
people all eat out of the same bowl
and with their fingers. About
dress. All seem to be very particu-
lar about the cleanliness of their
clothes. Some wear very fine silk.
Ladies wear skirt which they fast
EN- about the waist with draw string
or twist tight and tuck under. Each
lady wears a waist with very short
and large sleeves and very low in
the neck. These waists are very
short and do not reach the skirt by
four inches. It is no wonder they
get tanned by the sun. Men
Wear white duck pants and a
thin gauze shirt on Sunday,
but no shirt through the week.
Little children go without any.
All wear wooden sandals. Xmas
day was great day among them.
The native band at Las Penas
headed the procession. Their ban
ners were made of bamboo and tis-
sue paper. All designs represented
some animal or a star. At the
church mass was held and it was
beautifully decorated. The great
pipe organ was played by the priest
and it is a sweet toned instrument.
The members made it from bamboo.
These funerals are quite odd. The
corpse reposes on a cradle-shape
litter and is carried on the shoul-
| ders of four natives. The process.
sion consists of three men and three
children in the lead, each carry
flags and banners. Two Of the lit.
tie boys continually ring bells at
the cemetery. If the relatives can
not afford vault, they must bury
in the ground. Each grave is dug
very shallow. Those who use
vaults pay a yearly rent. If no
paid promptly they drag out the
corpse, and toss it in corner pro
vided for the purpose. These piles
are not inviting, or sweet to gaze
upon. On New Years night some
one put a candle in skull and Sc
it under the sergeant's bunk. Well
it looked fierce, and l got one day
III the guard house. 1t was some
J thing that l did not do, but don
. care. 1t was the first time in th'
mill for me. Kind or makes mt
proud, for man is not a true sol
, dier until he has been in the guarc
tent.
Our camp is situated on the banl
Of the linus river, and we go swim
ming daily. This is very mucl
like harvest time. Drill call will
sound soon, will finish later. Drill
over and supper also. Nothing
now but sleep until morn, except {
scrap with mosquitoes and lizards
One centipede came in our tent tn
other evening we went out. Afte
a good chase we killed it. No on
seems to like their presence. Tar
antulas and scorpions are quit
plentiful, and snakes galore, bu
the most numerous are ants-ant
of all varieties. Some are white
These white ants secrete an acid
S which eats through tin and glass
Lizards are very plenty, and on
: kind over a foot long. Those ar
the ones which seem to like on
beds. Almost every evening W
hear a piercing shrek. We knoy
the rest-soldier and lizard both i
, one tent.
BY. the way, mother, very funn
plant or vine grows here. AS quicl
as it is touched it closes very quick
;, and the leaf falls down about tn
stem. We call it " Touch me Not.
Enclosed find some seed. Plant i
sandy loan and don't water too o
ten. Hope it grows, as it will ad
! to your varied collection. Ais