The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-02-18

much composure as his equine compan-
ions, while his driver, the old "tao'' and
his family, attired in their Sunday
best and full complement of delighted
smiles, made picture more unique and
interesting to me than the richly dressed
''mestizas'' with victoria and pair of
high stepping ponies. One other animal
l must speak of, as it is great favorite
of ours. Everyone is invariably inter-
ested in watching the cages of monkeys
at zoo in a city, and in, the animal Sec
ton of the ever popular circus no cage
attracts so much attention as that of the
monkeys. Here, in one of their native
haunts, one has better opportunity of
studying them. In many sections large
numbers troop through the dense jungle
and cocoanut groves, and many young
ones are captured by the natives and
confined around their shacks. This is
but cruel practice as these people do
not know the meaning of the word pet
in connection with animals, and the poor
( llGIlS arc usually lieu up Will
about yard of chain, neglected and half
starved, the victim of tormenting chill
dren and dogs. One can hear their lone
/ ly, pitiful cry, like young baby's, on
passing through the ''barrios.
Those around the premises of Ameri-
cans are generally well cared for, and
are great pets, especially among the
soldiers. Our own particular Jocko-
which | rescued from a Filipino who was
! dragging it along the road by bit of
rope, and gave him a couple of ''pesetas',
for GO cents) little, timid, half starved
creature, has since given us unlimited
amusement. After few weeks of pet
ting, frequent baths, and feeding to eX-
cess, it is fat and saucy, and it would be
hard to find a more cunning and inter
esting pet. With ten feet of fine chain
fastened to his belt and attached to a
running ring on a long bamboo pole, he
has playground of back yard, porch
and nearby trees, entertaining me through
many otherwise dull and lonely hours of
the past year by his funny capers. His
chief delight is in sparring matches with
General Blanco, the big rooster, and it is
sometimes feathers that fly and some
times fur. AS they circle around each
other, Jocko boxes deXterously, tweak-
ing the Generals comb, who retahates
with spurs and beak, but when Jocko
finally accomplishes a body grip, and
they roll about the yard, Blanco then
squalls loudly for help, and |, as referee,
go to the rescue and separate them. The
pride of conquest and triumph exhibited
as Jocko sits on my arm and talks it all
over with me (pressing his hand to his
heart and painting for breath) is toe
ludicrous The neighbors often gather
and watch the match, holding their sides
in spasms of delight, and l do not know
who enjoys it most, the spectators OF
combatants.
, Another little game that Jocko amuses
himself with almost daily greatly inter
{ ests US all who happen to be within
watching distance. He collected hoart
small, smooth stones of uniform size
E which he keeps in bottle, and wher
weary of other play sits down on {
; stick of wood and very gravely the little
old man pours out and arranges before
him the pile of jackstones; then begins 4;
Juggling game which many an exper
would not scorn. The stones are tossed
( rapidly one by one in the air, and deftl.
! caught on descent, this being repeated
, over and over. Then they are passed undel
his leg, caught, changed from one hand t.
the other behind his back and under tn
: other leg to the front, and sometimes
s over the shoulder, or under the arms
/ This is done very rapidly and dexterous
ly, with an intentness of purpose ant
a success fairly astonishing, until his funt
of exuberence being somewhat abated
, he will then replace the stones in the
bottle, and with stretch and yawn lik'
t a sleepy child, compose himself for
, "siesta" in shady corner.
D Monkeys dearly love the water, fac
v which few people who keep them realize
I but learned they will swim, dive unde
t water, and disport for hours in large tn
filed to the brim, if the water is not to
= cold, and enjoy thus keeping themselve
in clearly condition. This species
!, very small, with avery large intellect. i