Evening star., 1909-04-18

the labor of creation. the squirrel being
merely a helper. The pelican is hunted
at all times: the breeding grounds on the
small islands lying near Tiburon Island
are regular hunting grounds. and here
the nesting birds are slaughtered in vast
numbers.
OF crops the Seris have none: they grow
no corn or other grain. and only at one
season of the year do they harvest even
wild fruits. Animal food in some form
or other is almost their entire diet. Dr.
McGee gives some instances that came
under his personal observation as to the
readiness with which they capture their
prey.
few moments after the group Of boys
shown IN one of the accompanying Illus
trations had been photographed. the boys
provided themselves with cords tthe Seri' 8
favorte laTiat being cord made of twist
eG human hair) and rounded up bunch
of mongrel coyote dogs. The boys herd
ed the unwilling animals toward an open
space a quarter of mile or so distant.
N order to rope them in imitation OF
the work of Mexican vaqueros. As they
proceeded. from time to time a frightened
cur would sneak through the Gordon OF
boys and make dash back toward the
bush. but in every case a boy would
dash from the circle, head of the fleeing
animal and herd it back with its fellows
before it could gain more than hundred
yards. On reaching the miniature rOdeo
they had chosen for their exhibition of
roping the boys widened their Gordon
and ct a signal they scattered and fright
ened the dogs. When the animals had
a fair start each boy selected his victim
and followed it. yelling and swinging his
light lasso. until. after much doubling
and twisting. and number of unsuccess-
full casts. the bowling beast was caught
and dragged back to the open. 1t was
repetitions Of this performance that
enough dogs had escaped to spoil the
sport.
These Seri boys habitually hunt jack
rabbits: three CT four half-grown boys
make up party and actually run down
and capture alive the same kind Of hares
that are cours,d on the western plains
with greyhounds followed by men On
horseback 1t Is law with the Seris
that all game animals must be fairly
caught: it is deemed highly discredi able
il not actually wrong, to capture any
game animal without giving 1t fair
chance for escape or defense by exercise
Of it's natural powers. a robust Serl
youth who was for time. domic1led on
O hacienda belonging to Senor Enciaas
one day begged off from his work. plead
ing tina, the spirit of catching deer had
laid hold of him. He was excused, on
condition that he bring the deer entire 10
the rancho. Two hours later this youth,
una:ded. drove full-grown buck up TO
the rancho. On approaching the build
ings the terrified animal tried in every
manner to dodge and escape. but the IN
dian kept beyond it. headed off every a
tempt at flight, and gradually. after
working ii closer and closer and wearing
II down. made a sudden turn and rush
upon it. caught it. threw !. over ms
shoulders and bore 1t. alive and kicking,
to the rancho.
These stories are vouched for by Dr.
McGee they either came under MS op-
se,.yation or were observed by persons
he placed The feetness and endurance
If the Seris both men and women, Is ira
ditional throughout the state of Sonora.
among MeXicans and Indians alike. ana
stories are youched for by reliable ob-
servers where women Of the trloe. Duf-
dened with children. have Travelled dls-
tances of from fortyfve to hfty miles pc
tween dusk and da wn. Efforts nave oeeh
made to secure Seri men and women Tor
expositions. where their fleetness and en-
durance might be exhibited. but such ef-
forts have uniformly failed. because OF
the untamable nature of the Indians.
J.
4 few years ago a part! OF sc'e''is'
was organized in ST. Louis for the pui-
nose Of visiting and exploring Iiouroh
Island and Seriland. DR.. MCGEE was IN
,-ited and urged to become one OF ine
narty. hut some of the details OF organlLa-
tior seemed to him to he lmpracticaple
and unsafe. and he, at the last moment
.h,t tho stock company, assisted by