Rocky Ford enterprise., 1909-11-26

boanga, in the Philippine Is
lands, is well laid out and
the ever-present Chino sup
Il plies the modest wants OF
life. The military post is
Just outside the fort and supplied with
the most comfortable and pretentious
houses | have seen in any garrison
over here. AS Zamboanga is a peace
full province one can drive through
Morotown without anxiety. The smell
OF dried fish greets one everywhere.
Part of the village is built out over the
water and the glimpses of life in 1t are
most interesting.
At Jolo a carriage was waiting for
us and we drove at once beyond the
walled city and out through the fa-
nous avenue OF palms. Later we
walked beyond the walls, and through
Morotown. Six guards stand before
the gate and warn everyone of the
danger Of going beyond the walls on
foot and repeat the prohibition for Of
ficers to do go unarmed. We were
told that only n few days before our
arrival Moro had attacked one OF
the guards: but We had not come thus
far to be cheated OF SO unusual an ex-
perience. and the element of real
danger had It's charms: SO armed with
a loaded revolver. a sharp kris and n
parasol we started out After crossing
1he bridge. where we were quite out OF
Gearing OF the garrison. We walked one
behind the other and kept a sharp
lookout on every side. At the well In
the center OF Morotown we stopped for
q good look at the spot where three OF
our soldiers were attacked while they
were sitting there chatting three
months before.
These Moros trace their origin to
the Mohammedan invaders and like all
of their tribe hate Christians and be-
lieve that for every one killed another
degree of felicity is attained for the
after life. In a condition OF religious
insanity the 'juramentada" takes an
oath to kill Christians until he himself
is killed. He shaves his eyebrows
and head, works himself into a state
OF frenzy during n night devoted to re-
ligious excesses and then starts out on
the warpath. Death being the only
possible end for him. he is entirely
fearless and reckless.
Beyond the wall in Morotown long
rickety pier runs out into the water
and we walked the length of 1t. enter
ing many of the houses to bargain for
brass and chow baskets. On these oc-
casions we kept our backs to the wall
and hurried on when we noticed any
of them stopping too long to examine
us with their cruel glances. They will
kill as readily to procure a firearm as
for anything else and It was impos-
sible not to feel constant anxiety. as
we knew the danger to be entirely real.
A-e were too far from the walls for
ies to be heard. and even shot. II 1t
ught rescue at all. could do SO only
~ late. It was intensely interesting.
intensely exciting. but the tension was
too great to be a pleasure for long.
and I was glad to be safe back inside
the walls again. Here we were met
Mt every turn by Moros selling pearls.
and as we had nothing to fear from
those inside we had leisure to examine
them and their wares. Jolo Is famous
for its pearl fisheries. and although
the hest pearls are bought up before
they reach the visitors hand, some
| pretty ones can be found.
Y There was fascination about being
N the very heart Of the country of
those Malay pirates whose deeds we're
among the favorite stories of child
hood. The name Sulu is to the inhabi'
Atants of other islands synonymous
Nyith treachery and ferocity. Piracy
Mas a regular trade among tho ma.
lives. whose daring exploits carried
Them as far as Singapore and New
IGuinea, where they spread misery and
d deyastation. As far north as Mala.
J hang on the Celebes sea there are
b,ockhouses along the coast for refuge
| from these sea robbers. Seen from
t,be water the town of Jolo is extreme
picturesque, the occasional red roof
# a foreign building In no wise les.
,ening the uncivilized appearance OF
" he whole Rising behind the town is
NJ 1ount Dajo. made famous by the won
d. hrfuI assault and capture of It by our
t/oops. Cotabato. Parang Parang and
NjIalabang, on the Celebes sea. were
next touched at, and then after an.
other stop at Zamboanga and again at
Camp Overton the course lay toward
ca H. the Visays.
Cebu is n prosperous town and q
great trade center. hemp ond coal be.