The state herald., 1909-11-26


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 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 it are
most interesting.
At Jolo carriage was waiting for
us and we drove at once beyond the
walled city and out through the ia
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 so 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 its charms: so armed with
a loaded revolver, a sharp kris and a
parasol we started out. After crossing
the bridge. where we were quite out OF
hearing OF the garrison. we walked one
behind the other and kept sharp
lookout on every side. At the well In
the center of Morotown We stopped for
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 n 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 state
of frenzy during a 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 II. enter
ing many OF the houses to bargain for
brass and chow baskets. On these oc.
caslons 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 10 procure n iirearm as
for anything else and II was impos.
sible not to feel constant anxiety. as
we knew the danger TO be entirely real.
We were too far from the walls for
cries to be heard. and even n shot. II II
brought rescue at all. could do so only
too late. II was intensely interesting.
intensely exciting. but the tension was
too great to be n pleasure for long,
and was glad to be safe back inside
the walls again. Here we were met
mt every turn by Moros selling pearls,
and ms 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 best pearls are bought up before
they reach the visitors hand. some
pretty ones can be found.
There was fascination about being
in the very heart OF the country OF
those Malay pirates whose deeds were
among the fayorite stories OF child
hood. The name Sulu is to the inhnbl'
tants OF other islands synonymous
with trcachery and fcrocity. Piracy
was regular trade among the ma
tiyes, whose daring exploits carried
,hcm MS far as Singapore and New
Guinea. where they spread misery and
devastation. As far north ms Mnla.
bang on the Celcbcs sea there are
biookhouaea along the coast for refuge
from these sea robbers. Seen from
the water the town OF Jolo IL extreme
ly picturesque. the occasional red roof
of u foreign building In no wise les.
sening the uncivilired appearance OF
the whole. Rising behind the town Is
Mount DaJo. made famous by the won,
dorful assault and capture OF II by our
troops. Cotabato. Parans 'pnrang and
Nalnbans. on the Colebcs sea. were
next touched at, and then after an.
:. other stop Mt ZamboanRn and again u,
v Camp oyefion the course lay toward
Ccbu H. the visnys.
cobu Ia prosperous town and a
great trade center. hemp pnd coal bo.