Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-23

clothes. Me chief! Now, which one you
say give up?"
When old Joseph died, full of years and
honor, three widows wept his loss
He's n Basket Maker.
Behold now, Auguste Francois, chief
OF the Carib nation, conquerors of the
Spaniards, the French and the English,
long the undisputed masters OF the Carib-
bees-Auguste Francois, whose descent
runs straight, without cross, from those
red painted, lion-featured eaters OF men, is
squatted on the ground, weaving baskets.
No longer reason to ask why Auguste has
lost caste with his people. 1t is as II the
king OF England were to go to blacksmith
ing or the sultan Of Turkey take in wash
ing. Willingly would his people follow
the old custom and bring him fish or
manioc -four, but Auguste-well, there is
delightful stun that comes in bottles from
the white mans country, only to be pro-
cured by gold or silver, and gold or silver
must be worked for. They are very good
baskets Auguste makes, to be sure; in
fact, the finest in the world. First his
lean, cunning fingers will weave the dried
grass into a basket OF the ordinary kind,
and then, with brown and black dyed
strands, in curious patterns; around 1t he
will weave another basket, putting plan
tain leaves between the two. Impervous
to tropic showers. water itself may, in
deed, be carried in them.
Back of Auguste's hut, under rough,
palm thatched shed. Auguste's wife is
making cavassa flour Her unmistakable
negro features explain why Auguste is the
last OF the Carib chiefs BY and by, when
he dies, the people will elect another head
m thafP aid In uta
with the government, but the old royal
line dies with this dull featured weaver OF
baskets.
While we are watching his flying fingers
a French gentleman from the nearby island
Of Martinique rides up, clad in immaculate
white He is not pleased to see us, and
indeed, starts to retreat, but finally dis
mounts and begs a word in private with the
chief. The CLEAN of gold is in his hand
as he talks, and when Auguste returns and
begs to be excused he is clutching some
thing very tightly. The two enter the
house together. The French gentleman is
about to fight a duel, and has come for the
famous Carib charm Auguste will undress
him, and, with much ceremony, bathe him
in a mysterious decoction, muttering
strange words. Then the duelist will be
bullet proof. In a corner OF Auguste's
hut hangs a fine ham. 1t is a present from
the Frenchman's adversary, whom Auguste
treated yesterday. It should be a bloodless
duel
Good Time In Prospect
On our way back to Roseau a messenger
to town from Auguste's Francais passes us
in a great hurry. You do not see the
CLEAN OF gold in his hand, because he is
carrying 1t in his mouth for safety He
will shortly return, bearing a heavy burden
that clanks at every STEP and Auguste
Francais will give new imitation Of being
drunk as a king"
We also pass the four posts that mark
the former dwelling OF Popott Before
Popott was taken sick It was like all the
other huts. Kind friends brought Popott
food each day. One morning they found
Popott had turned his face to the wall and
left the food untasted, They brought no
more, but instead each time they called
they took away a door or shutter, or bit
OF side thatch. Popott was a long time
dying for Carib, who generally goes
quickly once he has made up his mind
and before 1t was over there was only a