The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-27

lost little of it's original character
through contact with the execrable
mixture of English. Spanish and
French spoken by the lower classes
throughout the West Indies and along
the Spanish Main. Living in virtually
an unknown region, at least three
daVs' tourney from the nearest set
Element. their solitude is seldom brok-
en-. The visitor is received with the
greatest hospitality, and is welcome as
long as he desires to remain. Their
visits to the outer world are intre-
ouent. rarely extending beyond the
nearest port, and are undertaken only
in quest of luxuries. Extra fowls ana
porkers are bartered on these occa-
sions for tobacco, gewgaws and am
hunition. The spear and blowgun are
used more than firearms for various
reasons. The former are not only in
finitely cheaper, but usually more ef-
fective in the hands of the Indian than
the cheap muzzle-loading towing piece
of French or German origin. with It's
paper-like barrcl-the only arm he can
afford to purchase besides the machete.
Language and Customs.
Their language and customs in some
respects resemble those of the score or
more of widely differing peoples that
are scattered over the territory lying
btween the Mexican border and the
isthmus. Their ancestors doubtless
served Aztec masters for centuries be-
fore Cortez appeared on the scene to
impose a worse slavery upon them, for
they are not of the superior race OF
which so many reminders in the shape
of gold and silver ornaments, stone
idols and curious specimens OF pottery
have been unearthed in quantities in
several of the Central American states,
and being the opposite of warlike, they
could easily be held in bondage.
They are not idolaters in any sense
of the word, nor do they profess reli-
gion or hold public worship Of any ma
ture though their belief tends more
to fear of an evil spirit than faith in
a good one; in fact, the Talamana-
cans present an instance Of a nation
without a doctor, lawyer or priest, the
"sokee." corresponding to the medicine
man Of the North American tribes,
usually combining the functions OF all
three. Polygamy is the most impor-
tant feature of their domestic rela-
tions, few II any OF the members OF
the different tribes being content with
less than three to half a dozen wives,
while his Talamancan majesty might
we'll ex lain with Launcelot, Alas!
Fifteen wives is nothinge." His
seraglio is usually better provided In
point Of numbers.
Authority of the King.
The government OF this Indian nation
ie entirely hereditary, and IL Is aston
ishlng 10 learn of the many points OF
the doctrine OF primogeniture as prac-
ticed by the reigning families OF Eu-
rope, with which they are FAMILIAR
Their laws are naturally few in num-
Der. both the legislative and judicial
power, as Is usually the case where no
fixed principles OF either have been
acquired, being vested exclusively IN
the King. IN common with others IN
his position the world over, he Is a
despot. and rules according 70 royal
,ybim where this does not conflict with
long-eata blighed custom. The marital
relation IL held sacred. The engage
ment Of Rirl begins within few
hours Of her birth, the bridegro0m-to-
be making a contract with the parents