The Indianapolis journal., 1903-07-26
He Has Already Secured N Large Col
lection of Native Arms, Including
Bows and Arrows.
MADE CALL ON WIDOW OF UTO
WAS RECEIVED WITH DUE HONOR
IN THE THRONE ROOM.
Among the MorOs Are Many That
Read and write Arabic-Ants and
Mosquitoes the Year Round.

Colonel Charles H. Noble, Tenth United
States Infantry, now in command at Cot
tabato Mlndanao, Philippine Islands, in a
letter to a friend in this city, written In
May last, talks very interestingly OF the
natives there who are Moros, after having
associated with them for nearly year in
way that throws him into intimate re!a-
tions with them. Among other things, he
says:
"I have secured quite collection of
native arms such as small cannons, spears,
a kind of knife called kris pronounced
crees) and many bows and arrows. l have
reserved for the Columbia Club some Ian
takas, which are small brass cannons
about four and one-half feet long, with
one-inch bore. 1 also have a beautiful
specimen of the war gong. which / hope to
present to the club.
1.-THE mountain tribesmen, the Tirurays.
use the bow and arrow altogether. The
bows are longer than those used by Ameri-
can Indians, and the arrows are not notched
or feathered. but are pointed, with iron
tips. The strings of the bow are made
of bajuca pronounced bahuca), the strings
being fiat as is the end of the arrow. This
bajuca is something like our wild grape
vine, but it is yellow and smooth. 1t is of
a very strong fiber and can be split into
lonS slender pieces. The people use 1T for
many purposes. Frames Of houses are
tied with it, because 1t is so very tough
and pliable. These people are artists In
turning out knives and weapons of war,
working in brass, making small cannons,
as we'll as many different kinds of vessels.
OLD SPANISH FORTS.
'I have a number of outposts here, oc-
cupied by troops which were originally old
Spanish forts. About thirty-five miles up
the river Piang, big Datto lives in one of
these forts. He is allowed to do so by per-
mission of the United States troops. He is
friend of the Americans. and this is
fortunate for he is well fixed with cannon,
left by the Spanish. many native lantakas
and small arms. He has about 1900 fol-
lowers and could probably put in the field
5000 warriors. He has staff or cabinet, a
minister of war, a secretary Of state and a
high priest. HIe makes and returns official
calls.
About two miles up the river princessa
lives who is the widow of Uto, also a big
Datto before his death. over three months
ago. When he died there was much firing
of cannon. On the seventh day, on the
fortieth day and on the 'one-hundredth day,
this booming of cannon continued. After
the one-hundredth day he was pronounced
dead and allowed to rest. We saw his
grave and the monument erected over it,
which is a large block of stone and cement,
ten feet square. 1t is still covered with a
cloth canopy, and numerous white flags or
streamers on poles are around it. 1t is a
unique looking object and very imposing.
RECEIVED IN THRONE ROOM
+ with my staff, the ladies of our garrison
and the band. called on the princessa and
was received with due honor in the throne
| room. She also has a regular court and is
honored by her subjects as a Queen is in
| Europe. The females show her the most
| Difference. She has not been out Of her
home since Uto died. some months ago. con-
| sequently she is very delicate. 1 had our
band play them several pieces and she
then gave to each of the ladies of the party
some brass souvenir and one of her minis
| ters gave me head knife. as 1 was the
was that would decapitate my staff, the
| same as Datto Uto formerly did his. If he
were displeased with any one he called him
Topped his head off with one of these same
knives. Mrs Noble and myself both took
| presents to the princessa.
Later with portion of my staff, made
a call on Datto Piang. 1 sent him word the
| day before that We were coming. To my
surprise he received us right royalty The
| Datto himself, his staff and a large dele
| cation appeared at the landing and when
we were approaching and had arrived near
his residence. the fort. the royal salute OF
cannon was fired Many of these lantakas
| or small cannons. were lined up on the
bank and touched off one by one. 1 sup
pose that I am one of the few who has
| ever been received in this manner, and the
only one. 1 am informed, to whom Pians
| ever gave such a reception.
1T is on the programme on these occa-
| sions to feed the guests, but knowing about
what to expect and not caring to take
| chances, we fortified our stomachs before