Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1913-03-25
LAKE or LIFE IS
FOUND IN NIGERIA
EngIlshman Discovers Holy
Pool.
SAID 10 HAVE ODD POWER.

p. Amaury Talbot Makes Rsport-ilad
Previously Found Strange "Lake Of
the Dsad"-- Natives Look Upon the
Sheets Of Water AZ Sacred Objects.
Have Countless Legends.
P. Amaury Talbot. a district com
missioner In southern Nigeria. has
made another remarkable discovery.
Some months ago, when be returned to
England on visit. he told how he
found the Lake of the Dead In the
Oban country He now tells how be
and his wife explored the Sacred Lake
of Life.
When Mr.. Talbot returned to Nigeria
he found that the news of the discov
cry OF the Lake of the Dead had
brought to light the fact that another
sheet OF water to which mysterious
powers were ascribed existed In the
neighborhood OF Ikot-Obo the chief
town OF the Ibibios. and one afternoon
Mr.. Talbot and Mr. Eakin. acc0mpa-
MED by Mrs Talbot and her sister. set
out to locate 1t.
Hitherto the knowledge Of the lake
had been kept jealousy guarded Sc
cret from all Europeans, and not even
the natives. with the exception of the
high priests. bad been allowed to ap-
proach the sacred water. the dwelling
place of the greatest deity OF the race.
Access to tine lake was through sa-
cred grove SO cunningiy contrived that
a stranger might pass within few
yards OF yet never find the holy pool.
Mr. Talbot and his party. guided to
the spot, fonnd that the water was full
OF great fish. on the welfare OF which
depended the life Of the Ibibio race
tie Fish Are Tame.
The ish were so tame that they fed
from the hand OF the reigning high
priest. the only native human being al
lowed to look on the water Formerly
many victims were annually sacrificed
here. though at the present day human
life Is not permitted to be taken.
Countless legends had grown up
round the spot. 1t was said to nave
been placed by Its frst guardian. the
thunder god under the care OF py-
thon and a leopard. which ceaselessly
keep watch and ward and destroy any
one rash enough to seek to penetrate
its mysteries 1t Is especially sacred
as the dwelling place OF the most pow
erful deity the Great Mother lsu-Ma
(the Face Of LoveD whose symbol Is
a holy rock facing the entrance.
Near by the travellers found Sec
ond pool. ancillary to the lake itself.
In the center of this is palm tree,
near which. In the water. are stationed
a man. girl and boy who bear the
name OF the goddess, as they were
granted to the parents in direct an
swer to prayer Mr. Talbot will send
home complete account of the dis
covery at an early date
Tree Frogs Nests.
In describing his previous discovery |
Of the Lake OF the Dend Mr. Talbot
said that the surface of the water was
absolutely still and round about were
bushes ten feet high bearing what
looked like great tufts OF creamy dow
ers These however, proved to be
nests OF tree frogs. The place Is
for all wild things. for no
hunter would dare to penetrate the
bush 10 this fearsome place
As Mr. Talbot stood at the edge. gaz-
ing out over the water its quiet was
suddenly broken by broad ripple. and
little tish were seen to spring agitated-
~ above the surface great python
was crossing. and this. II WIS learned.
shared with the crocodiles the guard
lanship of the sacred lake
Nothing was allowed to trouble the
water or even TO touch its outer edge
for fear OF famine and pestllence ensu-
Ing Hlther the natives believed. came
by night the ghosts OF long dead Ek0i.
10 drift In sad companies. hopeless and
walling. over the surface OF the water.