Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-03-14

but the had to in the absence OF any
other remedy; but then, under the
bans of martial law, it is to be expect
ed that people must suffer %priyations
which wealth only can successfully
combat.
Many natives live in cascoeS or
floating houses. These are built
with a skiff bottom and at each end is
a small platform, the home Of the
family. On each side are platforms
Of bamboo poles nearly to the water
edge. This platform serves as a gang
way on which the men move forward
and backward in polling the boat
which is the only means employed for
their movement. The men who do
the polling are powerfully built with
arms strong and knOtty as the limb Of
an oak. They are constantly exposed
10 the terrific heat Of the sun, which
seems to have little effect on them.
They do not even cover their heads
and, with the exception Of a breech
cloth, they are generally naked, and 1t
is amusing to see the little fellows
run the streets naked, and they are
happy too. Merely to look at these
people without being acquainted with
their name OF living n would be
inclined to believe they were wild men
bordering on sayagry, but you would
think differently II you should visit
these cascoes when they are tied up
and anchored along the river bank. |
remained over night on one OF these
cascoes through the invitation OF a
friend to attend a wake which was
held out of respect for the poor wife
OF one Of the crew.
About nine O'Clock in the evening
all the friends and mOurners knelt
and joined In prayer after whicha lit
tie grog was passed around and greet
ing Of friendship exchanged, more
cordially extended owing 10 the
warmth induced by the sorrow-bury-
ing fluid. Even in the absence Of
this, there is a kindness born with the
people which is shown to a higher de-
gree whenever death removes a friend
or neighbor. For two successive
nights people fiocked around the
sorrOwing members Of the family
where the agent of death had lowered
at the wake l attended. At ten
O'Clock in the evening three plump
Filipino girls approached the gang
way, neatly attired in the usual COS.
tune. They waited for their sweet
hearts before entering the cascoe, and
as they were entering | was mystified
by their actions, for it looked as
though they had in their possession a
~dismounted piece of small artillery
divided into sections so as to make il
possible for three men to carry undel
their arms. We were supported in
these thoughts from the fact that the
city was in an unsettled condition and
rumOrs Of an outbreak. With thest
thoughts in our minds we could hard.
ly realize that the two harps and
three or four violins were not Other
weapons conveyed into the cascoes In
the darkness, but according to the
custom Of the country at wakes.
funerals, christenings and marriages,
there is always a certain amount OF
%playfulness that does not reach it,
highest point without the sweet
tones Of the harp and yiOlins.
| have given brief sketches OF the
lives and home surroundings Of the
TagalO people, leaving you to Judge
for yourself the personnel Of the in
surgent army. Indications have al.
ways pointed to the fact that this
army was differed by able and intelli.
gent men, whose only drawback was
their unfortunate circumstances in
being unable to secure military train
ing. This was manifested by their
poor craftsmanship for IL it wasn't for
their poor aim | think | would been
dead several months, for they would
come ear ms but not near enough TO
hit me FRED LUcKIE.