The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-15

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overheard he went. which was the begin
ming of a number Of amusing episodes.
Late on the fourth day we came in sight
of the Island. We sailed around 1t for thtr-
teen days. making two trips inland-one
eight miles in on the Sonora size and the
other. four aud a half miles in on the gulf
side. Whenever we saw any Indians We
made a landing. At first they were very
suspicious and would not come near US, but
one finally picking up enough courage. drew
near and asked In bad Spanish: Who sent
YOUR
From that time on we managed to do
quite Il little trading. but they still re-
mained suspicious. One of our party taking
cut d bottle of mescal offered one of the
Indians IA drink. but he would not touch 1t
until he saw some OF our party take some,
after that they could not get enough OF IT,
II can scarcely believe they are cannl-
bals,- but one day We killed a deer ana
tossing the Indians a hind quarter, they at
once proceeded 10 devour it raw, much to
the disgust of every one of our party pres
emit. They went at 1t with such a disgust
gusto that it made me sick to my stom-
ach.
A RAW FISH
They live entirely on fish and turtles.
eating them raw. The waters around the
island seem TO be fairly alive with fish.
Charlie one day threw in half a stick or
dynamite. After the explosion We collected
an even rs FISH. which included barracuda.
tuna. vel. owtaii vi4 bass.
saw several sTotps of Indians. the
largest number III any one assembly being
thirty-lve. Physically they are very strong
and large. One young buck was stronger
than Arizona Charlie. who himself Is six
feet four inches in height. Some of the
squsws, too. are really coed looking.
Two of the most noticeable peculiarities
are The shane of their right leg and the
color OF their hair.
Every Indian has a crooked right knee,
the only explanation being that it is a tribal
custom. prac,iced upon the young. In spite
of this apparent. deformity. they can run
like deers. Why. actually. l do not think I
have ever seen any one who could show
such a clean pair OF heels as a Seri Indian.
The speed they can get up Is astonishing.
As to their hair, every Indian we met had
a distinct tinge of red in it. Whether 1t is
due to some pigment 1 do not know. but
can hardly think that is the case. Their
personal appearance Is rather ferocious. as
they daub their faces and bodies with
paint
AS to their habits. they are very low
down in the scale of civilization. They live
in extremely primitive houses of brush and
do not till the ground. Their arrows are all
poisoned. They have a peculiar manner Of
manufacture. They take a deer's liver and
put it in a deep jar. then throw in scorpions.
centipedes and r~attlesnakes This jar Is
sealed up and is kept in motion, so as to
thoroughly arouse the vicious OCCUPANTS.
Finally the entire contents are eFJsh4i.
making a sort of Jelly. which is aIiewed5b
stand in the sun awhile.
ARROWS DIPPED IN POISON.
THE arrows are dipped in and coated
with this poisonous mixture. 1t is sure
death for any one who has the slightest
scratch resulting from one of these arrows.
We traded for a number of these arrows.
They have a peculiar boat. which appears to
be made out of some wood similar to bam-
boo. and is as light as cork. The Indians,
evidently have horses. for we noticed the
tracks of several. but did not see any,. .ss
"The island is covered with the usual
desert vegetation. and Il really f~ineFvarfety
of grass. which would make splendid graz-,
ing ground for cattle. @
"As ! said before. We sailed around the
island for thirteen days. and would have.
continued longer. had not the Indians. for
some unknown reason. taken a sudden dis
like to us. We were warned to leave. which,
We did without very much hesitation. for
having once seen the manufacture of the
poisoned arrows. our respect for these meRS
with the crooked legs rose very high. As.
none of US are of a very sanity disposition
We had no desire on such short notice to
join the heavenly throng. We returned to
Yuma on October 90"
Arizona Charlie is getting up a big party
to settle upon this island. and the men Will :
take their wives. now that the mystery Of
Tiburon Island has been swept aside. Hei
has purchased a Gatling gun. which at least
ought to be something of a safeguard
against poisonous arrows. On this trip
Charlie will have many daring adventurerso
among whom will be the Sherffs of Yuma
and Tucson. Professor Magee of the Geoloz
gical Survey. who has asked for a leave of
absence already. and many others.