The Washington times., 1915-10-02
Three-Minute
Journey
By TEMPLE MANNING.
(Copyright. 1915. Newspaper Feature Service

(CnQyright. 1915. Newspaper Feature Service.
SvNHE Island Of Fernando Pc
Hes off the west coast OF
Africa and Is inhabited by o
strange race of savages cali
ID the Boobies. Its interior is little
known. although there have been
many expeditions into its forests and
the plantations OF the whites are
gradually creeping back along the
hills. The one short journey I made
all manner Of difficulties, some Of
them amusing.
In many places we were compelled
TO cut our way. and SO seldom made
moro than a mile an hour. Up steep
hills wo plodded. then down Into
deep ravines from which we must
win our way s.owly. The streams
that flowed down the rocky beds
wero often rushing torrents that all
but swept US off our feet. and when
We reached the heights we pushed
our way through rank forest growth
for endless miles, Without the as.
sistance Of q guide we never could
have found our way Once In awhiio
we would como out upon a clearing
WhlCA Wc CooAN SSS sAS Ss~ss~
plains dipping down toward the sea,
with gigantic cotton trees standing
out sharply against the blue SKY.
One of the strangest things abou:
this island Is that It's few inhabitants
divided up into a number OF thia diisef.
because BOBBY 10 a stay-at-thome;
some of the old men and women
have never been outside their own
Villages. The mountainous char
acter Of the country Is another
cause.
burden themselves with names, haV-
ing no Christian name at all. When
ore man wishes to attract the al.
tention Of another he shouts "buoi."
which means man" The entire
ana each district may have as many
as three towns, yet the one name
Of the district does duty as the name
The Booby towns are often
merely a collection of hrts on
mountain side; very rarely are they
piaces Of the savages. All con-
veniences that contact with the
whites would seem to introduce
are lacking. And yet the Boobies
are hospitable. particularly II you
have an Interpreter and come with
small gifts. When we pitched our
tents they invariably thronged
about us and marveled at the way
our camp beds were put up. Ana
sometimes they welcomed us with
a dance OF welcome. "Yo sa ipori
they chanted, which means we
bid you welcome
Dancing Is one Of the chief
plea sures of the Boobies. and each
Village has its dancing green. con-
sisting Of a square level clearing
in the bush. and here their orgies
are held. The greatest delight OF
the Booby is his "topi." or palm
toni" even for a single day.
makes him wretched. That Is why
one of the commonest sights Is 10
see the entire population fle out
into the bush about o'clock In
the afternoon to visit the PAIN
Each family owns a small grove
and each tree Is equipped TO give
the precious wine. Tho hbrous
top Is cut away on one side, and
into 1t Is driven a metal tubing
the other end being inserted into
the neck of goprd. In ASCENDING
the trees 10 collect the "topi' the
Booby shows his greatest In
genuity. He uses a bamboo hooI
eliiptical In shape. which he
passes around the trunk of the
tree and the lower part of his
back. The hoop Is then fastened
by loop knot on one side. Lean
ing back. his feet against the tree
the hoop as he proceeds with hi
hands. Literally the Booby walk,
up the tree with speed that Il
amazing.