The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-23

of side thatch. Popott was a
long time dying for Carp,
who generally goes quickly once
he has made up his mind, and before
it was over there was only a bit of the
roof left. 1t is one of the few old Gus
toms remaining. They say it is to give
the spirit free egress. AS no Carib VIII
live where any one has died, and the
pieces carried away can be used for
new house, this custom has practi-
cal side to it as well.
From the high woods the soft thud,
thud of an ak comes floating down the
trail. 1t is Talaute and Curtin cutting
timber for a boat; clever axmen, as
all these Caribs are. Presently, with
a long sigh, you hear the tree fall,
tearing the countless long lianas that
hang like serpents from every limb.
Fine specimens of men are Talaute and
Curtin From the fallen trunk they will
hollow out a boat some twenty feet in
length and eight inches wide. This they
will soften with fire and spread with
wedges or perhaps paddle it as it is,
over thirty miles of open sea, to Mar
Unique, where those who buy it will
spread it to suit their tastes. Last
week they were swept far out to sea,
and picked up by a schooner. The cap
tain, not wishing to be hindered by
tow, slyly cut their boat adrift. 1t was
two miles away before they found 1t out
but without waiting to complain they
both plunged overheard. Reaching
their precious canoe, they clambered
in and padded safely home. This is
true tale, and was not told me as any
thing extraordinary. but as a joke on
Talaute and Curtin. They are very glad
to see US when We approach, but smile
"a Carib never laughs-at the idea of
their being any the worse for their ex-
perience.
There were vlsotors from town at
the tiny police station last night who
brought with them strange and deli
cious things to eat, all packed in little
cans with gaudy labels. In the morning
two boards were missing from the sta
ton floor. The gaudy- labeled timed
things were missing also. When you
tell this bit of gossip to Talaute he
finds it strangely funny. 1t is past eat
ing time, but they profess no hunger.
After a while you leave them; it oc-
ours to you that perhaps they have no
food: ought you to return and offer
some? No, you would better not. If you
would creep back so softly that they
could not hear you, which you cannot
you would see Talaute and Curtin seat
ed on the log enjoying hugely strange
delicacies out of tins bearing gaudy
labels.
On the journey home we are accom-
panied by little Duphine bearing bas-
kets into town to sell. Straight as her
own black hair, she strides before the
horses, her huge burden on her head.
Duphine is a half-beerd, and represents
in more than one way the link between
the Carib and civilization. This fatal
admixture of negro blood has sounded
the death knell of the Carib race. The
negro wife is more and more in evil
dence. AS yet the negro husband may
not with comfort dwell amongst them.
But slowly, one by one, that strange
race who fattened their skulls to odd
shapes, and bound cloths around their
arms to make the muscles swell, who
painted their faces red and ate their
enemies, is dying off, and in the near
future the Carib will be but name.