The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-12-03
TWICE A WEEK. 81. so A YEAR
TREE THAT DEVOURS WOMEN.
"Carnivorous Tres in the Depths
Of the Indian Jungle.

! Writing from Marseilles, CORE
spondent Of The Weekly Nos Loisirs
sends to his journal the following
amazing story Of a ''carnivorous
tree" in the depths Of the Indian
Jungle, which he states was related
to him by Mile. Marguerite Lecomte.
This lady has just reached France
after a lengthy journey through In
dia and other Asiatic countries, and
if her other adventures are on
par with this one Nos Loisirs proba-
bly, is correct in describing her as
one Of the most remarkable her6nes
that exist. It is stated, by the way,
that a previous reference to the
carnivorous tree" described by
Mile. Lecomte was made recently by
an English major in report to his
government.
According to her story, Mile. Le-
comte, Who was travelling with her
cousin, war correspondent, was a.
sleep one night in tent on the out
skirts Of forest. They had lit huge
fires in circle round the camp to
keep off wild beasts, and two natives
were set to keep watch and to give
the alarm if anything untoward hap
pened.
In spite Of these precautions, how
ever, whether for want Of proper
watching or on account Of completely
on the part Of the natives, Mile. Le-
eomte awoke in the middle of the
night to find on her face a wet mask
which stifled her cries and caused
her to faint. When she came to her
self she found herself in the midst
Of a troop of fanatic Indians, who
were yelling and braadishing their
arms about her: She was stretched
on her mack, her limbs bound with
cords, aad she distinguished near her
| an ,ther wh1ts girl similarly bound
AMI unconscious. 49,.
TIE dawn broke. The 4adians rang
ed themselves in a group, seized the
two girls and carried them,, chanting
the while monotenous sort:of fun
.eral chant, te~tbe foot Of giant tree
without leaves and whose forbdGng
aspect struck terror into the heart
Of Mile. Lecomte. Fl had only two
branches, stiff like outstretched
arms, and it's summit was finished in
the form Of large bowl from which
drinped a white sap like milk.
Mile. Lecomte says that she saw
them seize her companion and
rlnnge her into this bowl up to her
neck: and suddenly, just as the first
| rays oe the sun fell Oh the tree, a.
horrible thing hapneC ed.
TIE tree seemed endowed with sud-
dcn life. The edges Of the bowl
drew together, stra1s1lng the GIRL
whose face reflected che agonies OF
er:ch,ful ,leath. sIaere were some
terrible cracking Noises, the whole
body seemed .}'1nJe' mp under the
eli ,r, f Ike <iI:- # H. tree, and
piakish liquid, made of blod apd sap,
began to glide down the carnivorous
tree.
Then with maniacal cries the In
dians approached, and catching this
horrible LIQUID il wooden cups, drank
ii. their yes shining with ecstaey. =
Nile. I.econ'te, perceivins the fate
which awaited her, thought she
would 60 mad every moment. For
tuaately the arrival Of her cousin
and troop Of Englishmen well arm
ed dispersed the criminal fanatics
Many were killed on the spot, the
tree was cut down and it threw up a
spout of pinkisa water with the force
of water spout. The wretched VIC
tim had lost all human form. This
horrible adventure decided Mile. Le-
eonnte to leave India, and she has
inst arrived at Marseilles. She says
she vii marry the cousin who saved
hnr life