The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-11
A WHITE MAN GENERATES
THE WOODS OF PATAGONIA.
Wonderful Forests Of Almost Tropical Luxuance Explores the
Most Desolate Section in the World
Explores the

as enc descends 10 the sharance.' tha
prickling OF the rills and streams. tho
futter OF birds wings ard the cry OF the
Wild duck are heard. and as one reaches
the valley below the fertility OF the soil
develops beautiful varieties OF both ffora
and fauna that are a verttahle treat 10 the
eyes. Here the fishing and shooting ara
both excellent, the sport being MARRIED
somewhat by the excessive ease with
which bass and baskets are made.
Some OF my fron,iersmen friends who
have to spend thousands Of pounds a year
10 secure good covers would revel in The
opportunities which Patagonia presents.
especially along the eastern slope OF the
Andes
Among the peculiar varieties OF fowl
Is a species Of ostrich, called the mex
yushs the flesh OF which is much prfred
by the natives. IL Is much smaller than
the African bird, being about the sixe oe
the average turkey. Quail are abundant,
but saw no pheasants during my trip"
Indians PeacenbI- and Hospttabie.
The Tehuelches as the natives are call
ed seem 10 have Impressed Mr.. Camp
bell very much indeed
''Of course, they are saveges. more or
less" says he. but there is nothing ag-
gressive or disgusting about them. They
are an exceptionally fine race OF people
physically. the men averaging six feet
high or over, while the women average
ApUuy TWO inches less. lln latter
very often good looking. and are modest
In their manners. The Tehuelehe. like
most Indians. IL an inve;erate hunter,
and dlsdains agriculture. although in
eastern Patagonia there Is some very fer
tile land As the population seems to ho
about stationary or decreasing, there IL
no particular need for the Fatagcnian tn
work hard, I'm such a manner as tiliing
the soil would involve. his rod and gun
furnishing him with ample living
II had been appraised at the station that
j would have nothing 10 fear from tho
Indians II acted peacefully. and as my
equipment was very simple. consisting OF
knapsack and rifle with couple OF
revoivers. I started or into the interior
without any fears. had wandered round
for several days before l entered ona of
their settlements II was a collection az
small huts. made OF poles and hides
known as toldos
"A group OF men and women were Sit
ting around outside one OF the toidos
stopped when reached within a few feet
OF them and made a sign indicating that
] wanted something 60 drink, | realty
did not. but their good Intentions were
shown Instantly by one OF rho men going
into tho toldo and appearing with rough
earthen jug. While lifted u 20 my lips
the group surveyed me ielsureiy.
thought. OF course. that the pitcher con.
tained water. but soon found that 1 was
methyiated spirits. ] learned afterwards
that the viliainous compound ~ obtained
from traders. and II supposed TO be whir-
Ky. My knowledge OF Parnpa which I
had picked up IN the Argentine. enabled
me 20 enter into a limited conversation
with them. and I was told 10 make my
home In the camp as long as liked Ono
OF the tuldos was pointed out to me as
being vacant, Its owner being away on
lengthy hunting expedition TO the west.
ern side OF the Andes.
Domestic Habits of the Natives.
II accepted the invitation and remained
domioled with them a week. at least. has-
ing the opportunity which I also had SUBJ
seauensly elsewhere. 20 observe the SLIM
pie ana natural lives they led Dried Ash.
fresh dsh. fowl and deer arc their principal
articles OF food. aiteruated with cakes made
Of coarse meal and procured from tho Ar.
gentine republic
The men and women drer. almost alike.
and their appearance IL extremely paeu-
liar. To begin with their faces are gem
orally painted and no hair, even ia the
shape OF eyebrows. " allowed 10 grow.
Their attire Is composed OF a waist or intn
cloth falling 70 the knees and suppie-
tnented I'm tho case OF the women with an
undergarmeat Of cotton sooas wrapped
around the limbs from the feet upwards.
The cloak or robe worn by than Ia Of bids.
with TIE fur turned frtwards
They dlsrohe entirely at night. bosn
sexes occupying the same apartment. and
using their clothing for covering thels
couehes being ~ hides.
They are a simple and INSCRIPTIONS pse-
pie, believing In god who ~ great and
good They fear demons and propstiass
them by means OF offerings. tut have no
form ~ worship Thmy h1thp their bodies
Thoroughly daily all through ths y~~r. Ths
men usually carry stfn or pistol. and q
sword snd lance, Tho latter weapon tAey
are able 70 use mast skilifaliy. throwing
II al an object and hitting IT at a distance
Of seventy yards
This prsetiea and their constant PRES
enoc IN the saddle gives them vgslensfd
development Of ire chest
when the winters arc colder than usual
the natives seek the shelter 81 tAe sfar.
NOUS forests on the eastern side ~ ths
Andes. ard shgs escape ga4e latlmx binxts
from fhe lseiAe.
"A little manufacturing Il dome ~ no
females, tks articles made beirx pqinsi-
nslly saddles. brides. iakao~ ard s,irrars,
The wofk II very asiicatnly anishsd,"
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