Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-01-21

more industrious than their more CIV
ilized sisters farther south. A crude
native loom stood against the wall.
and samples of heavy cloth. or
canvas, made from cotton which here
grows on plants the size of trees,
were in evidence. Hammocks made
of cord spun from the inner bark
of the mahoe tree were plentiful.
The art of tanning leather and max
ing moccasins is also known.
A seward village was made the next
stopping place. An honest old man
who was our host begged US to appeal
to the English King for redress against
what he regarded as the oppression Of
the government officials. who visit
them occasionally and tax them for
their cattle. The old man supplied US
with two boats and accompanied US
with his chief wife on the long jour
ney to Tansen on 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 Ibantara river
empties. About its shores there il q
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 20 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 q "Siko." or
ghost-expelling drinking bout. Morn
Ing Stars mother-in-law was . most
repulsivelooking creature-a good
model for q witch of Endor painting
but when we left her she said: Pray
for me-"
Down the Butuk 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
Guilty in securing transportation down
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 Nth the river
current, we did not encounter q 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 when
they lay their eggs. and wherever Q
high sandbank stood out It was honey
combed with their burrows. Our peo-
pie caught them with their hands.
Iguana flesh is superior to chicken.
though the eggs are not as good a.
turtle eggs.
At the mouth Of the Plantain river.
between Black river and Brewers
Lagoon bar, a few indians Of the
Paya tribe were encountered.
Half a days march from the Kruta
river we reached the kaukirra group
of villages-the poorest houses OF any
we had yet seen. Hero we discov-
cred heather preacher. who actually
possesses part of an English Bible.
which Of course he cannot read. A
few families from Grand Caymans live
in this neighborhood. and raise cat
tie and cocoanuts.
Kruta was reached on Maundy
Thursday. and we had real mission
airy meeting on Good Friday. That
night we journeyed on to Cabo Ora
cias Dios and arrived there on the
mCrning of our twenty-ninth day. hav.
ing covered. as nearly as we can es-
innate. a distance Of from $50 to ATS
Ynfloo