Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1912-03-01

- Republics that border the Carfb-
bean, they declared it would be
tempting Providence to venture among the ruth
less saYages who inhabit the forests and anos
watered by the Orinoco and its afuents So
great, however his desire visit this little
known part of the world that he determined in
spite OF the difficulties and dangers predicted to
make at least the attempt to accomplish his long
cherished purpose.
He has always been glad that he paid no heed
to the horrible forebodings that were volunteered
by weilmeaning but iIadvsed people. Had he
done so, he would have deprived himself OF one OF
the most delightful experiences of his life. For,
outside of certain discomforts inseparably con-
nected with roughlng it in the Wild the entire trip
was of agreeable surprises and unalloyed
pleasure. And, in lieu OF bloodthirsty savages
seeking to transfx him with poisoned arrows, he
found the Indians all along his route to be not
only harmless, but hospitabe and obliging In
deed of the most pleasant recollections he
has of his wanderings in the wilds of Venezuela
and Colombia is the kindly treatment he invaria-
bly, received at the hands of the children OF the
forest
These observations, says writer in the Pan
American Bulletin, have been suggested by a
work which has recently been published in Ber-
lin the Indians inhabtlng the region between
the Rio Negro and the Yapura 1t is by DR. Theo-
dor Koch-Grunberg distinguished German tray
eler and ethnologist. and Is entitled "zwei Jahre
unter den Indianern" 1.-TWO Years Among the In
dians). 1t has appealed to us in a special man
ner, not only on account OF the mine OF informa-
ton 1t contains regarding the manners and Gus
toms of the various tribes of Indians which the
author visited during his two years peregrinatons
in this comparatively unknown part of the world;
not only account of its numerous and valuable
illustrations reproduced from photographs which
constitutes so valuable aid to the right under
standing of the narrative, but also and chiefly be-
cause the doctors experiences among the red men
vicff
in other parts of the continent
1t was In August 1903 that Dr. koch-Grunberg
reached the little town of Sac Felipe the Up
per Rio Negro. Using this place base, he
proceeded without delay to explore its western af-
huents, the lcana, the Uapes the Curicuriary, and
their chief tributaries and to study the manners
customs and languages OF the divers Indian tribes
that live near their banks, After spending
nearly two years among these people, OF
whom white before, he returned
to Manaos, the mouth of the Rio Negro, by
way of the Yapura and the Amazon.
He was we'll equipped for his work, which for
him was ever a labor of love, He had previously
accompanied DIR. Hermann Meyer during his ex-
ploration of the Xingu in southern Brazil and had
then learned to admire the many notable quail
ties of the unspoiled denizens Of the Jungle
Outside OF young Brazilian OF German descent
his sole companions during his long wanderings
among many tribes-some Of whom he had been
warned were antropofagos (cannibals were In
dams whom he employed porters and hoatmen.
And these were In most instances what are known
indios braves (wild Indians) who had little
no contact with civilization. But completely
did he from the first win the confidence and af-
lection of these simple. kindly people, that they
at once treated him one of their own and made
him feel at home wherever he went
And so consderate and Just he in all his
dealings with them that his reputation preceded
him from tribe to tribe Everywhere he was
known and welcomed the friend OF the In
dams" and any service they could perform for
him was freely given. He lived in their malokas
communal homes), shared in their repasts and
festivities, took part in their dances and their
hunting expeditions was witness of their strange
marriage and burial ceremonies, and romped with
their children, helped to entertain friends and
guests. He had every opportunity of familiarizing
himself with the peculiar manners customs tradi-
lions and superstitions of his hosts for they were
ever willing to impart to him all the information
ia their power and assist him in his photographic
researches in every way possible
Besides treating them with justice and kind.
ness he made II a rule never to accept any sery-
ice, however slight without making some com.
be triiing. but the effect magical. They were
all-men, women and children-at his beck and
call every hour of the day or night
Of the Indians OF Cururn tcuara) the author
declares that they did everything to make his so
journ among them comfortable and pleasant For
a few glass beads and fishhooks they kept us lib
orally supplied with meat and drink. Fowl OF