Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-05-23
Fishing For CrocodiIes.

Under ordinary circumstances, the Dy-
axis of Borneo ask nothing more OF the
crocodiles that infest their rivers than to
be left alone. Nobody thinks of CATCH
ing or disturbing any OF the creatures un-
til one of them has begun to display a
taste for human flesh. Then the profes-
sional crocodiIe-catcher is called in, and
crocodiles are caught and killed until the
discovery of some of the brass arm ona-
ments, which every Dyak wears, i'll the
stomach of one of the victims shows that
the man-eater has at last been caught.
E. H. Comes in the National Geographic
Magazine describes the curious way OF
hooking the great reptiles.
A piece of hard wood ten inches long
and an inch or so in diameter is sharp
ened to a point at both ends. A length
of plated baru bark some eight feet long
is tied to shallow notch in the middle
of this piece of wood, and single rattan
forty or fifty feet long is tied TO the end
of the bark rope, forming long line.
The most irresistible bait is the carcass
of monkey, although the body OF dog
or a snake is often used. The more over
powering the stencil the better-the croc-
odile will eat only putrefying flesh. The
bait is securely lashed to the pointed bar,
and one OF the ends OF the bar is tied
with few turns OF cotton thread to the
bark rope, bringing bar and rope into the
same straight line.
Next the bait is suspended from the
bough of a tree overhanging the river.
The rattan line is left lying on the ground,
one end OF it firmly fixed in the soil.
Attracted either by smell or sight, a
crocodile raises himself from the water
and snaps at the bundle, the slack line
making no resistance till the bait is Swal-
lowed and the animal begins to swim OFF.
Then the planted end of the lines holds,
till the thread binding the pointed stick
TO the bark rope snaps. The stick at
once returns to its natural position at
right angles to- the rope, and becomes
iammed across the crocodile's stomach,
the two points fixing themselves in the
flesh.
A firm pull will soon bring the croco-
die to the surface, and so on shore, Tor
the pain which every pull at the rope
causes constrains him to follow docilely
after the drag Of the rope.
As soon as he is landed the animal is
addressed by the catcher in most eulo-
CYSTIC language, that he may be beguiled
into offering no resistance. He is called
"a raja amongst animals" and told that
he has come on friendly visit, and must
conduct himself accordingly.
First the creatures jaws are tied up
not very difficult thing to do. Then the
crocodile catcher, still pouring forth COM
pliments upon his prey, tells him he will
give him rings for his fingerS-and binds
the creatures hind legs fast behind his
back, so as to deprive him OF his grip on
the ground and his ability to use his pow
erful tail. This takes no little courage
and skill. Finally the fore legs are tied
in the same way, stout pole is passed
under the legs, and Master Crocodile is
carried off TO the nearest government
station, where the bounty is paid.
The moment the crocodile is safely
bound the language OF flattery and COM
pliment ceases, and the Dyaks begin to
howl and jeer at him, deriding him for
his stupidity and helpleSSneSS.