The Ordway new era., 1915-10-08
s4OhpURANlArH FAf1ILr

what he regarded as the oppression OF
the government officials, who visit
them occasionally and tax them for
their cattle. TIE old man supplied US
with two boats nMd accompanied US
with his chief wife on the long jour
ney to Tansen Oh the inland side OF
Lake Karataska. AS we were cross
ing the lake-so wide that in some d.
rections one cannot see the shore
the wind began to rise, and we were
in danger of being swamped.
Back Of this immense Karataska
lagoon are four other large lagoons.
into one OF which the lbantara river
empties. About its shores there Is
small Miskito population. A man OF
this neighborhood. who had the prom
Using name of Morning STAR" owned
large dugout canoe, which he
agreed to lend US and to accompany
us on our way. His was the only
family at home in his little village,
everyone else having crossed the kar-
alaska lagoon to attend a "Siko." or
ghost-expelling drinking bout. Morn
ing Stars mother-in-law was most
model for O witch Of Endor painting
but when we left her she said: Pray
for me-
Down the Rutuk River.
Fourteen hours Of padding and sail
ing brought US through three OF the
lagoons to the small settlements along
the Butuk river. We had great diff
r-to t,,,
river. A boatload Of merchandise.
mainly rum, had been brought over
the route the day before, and almost
every man was suffering from the ef-
fects OF its presence in this region.
In IL hours travel with the river
current, we did not encounter single
human being nor any habitation OF
man. The banks of the river, how
ever, literally swarmed with iguanas.
1t was the time OF the year wnen
they lay their eggs. and wherever a
hign sandbank stood out it was honey
combed with their burrows. Our peo-
pie caught them with their hands.
Iguana nesh is superior to chicken.
though the eggs are not as good as
turtle eggs.
1t the mouth Of the Plantain river,
between Black river and Brewers
Lagoon bar. few Indians of the
Paya tribe were encountered Most
OF their people live far inland. They
resemble the Sumu Indians OF the him
ter.and of Nicaragua, but have a IAN
rN-ge quite distinct from theirs. At
a village at the eastern mouth of the
Butuk river we were received
most cordially. Some relatives of our
party had their homes here, and we
were feasted on milk and native rice,
besides the ubiquitous green ba-
nanas.
In about thirty.six miles OF walking
after leaving this place. we saw only
one house; and Mt the little village Of
uhi. only four. Our host at Uhi was
a desperatc.looking character. and the
houses and the rest OF the people were
filthy and repellent. We were insulted
laccording to the Miskito code) by be-
ing called wild. and threatened with
divine wrath. II we did not stay to
hold meeting. II seemed that Dana
HAS. our host, had heard somewhere
about the meetings that padres keep.
and got the idea that one of them
would surely bring good luck to his
place.
Half days march from the Kruta
rror we reached tho Kaukirra group
OF villagcs-thc poorest houses of any
wc had yet seen Here we discov-
cred n hcathon preacher, who actually
possesses part OF m English Bible,
which OF course he cannot read. A
fow families from Grand Caymans live
III this nc'ghborhood. and raise cat
Ito and cocoanuts. They say that since
tho cessation OF mahogany cutting. the
Indiana have no money.
krutR was reached on Mnundy
Thursday, aud wc had real mission.
nry meeting on Good Friday. That
night wo journeyed on to Caoo Ora.
olaa Dios and arrived there on the
morning OF our twenty.ninthr day, hav'
Ing covered. ma nearly a. We can es.
innate, a distance OF from $50 to 47s
milca.