Arizona republican., 1920-06-27


 several weeks I had been residing in a bambo bungaloo village near Zapa- quera, Colombia, South America, a primitive section, based upon natures environments. The natives were tirnid shy and diffide.-t, having the minds of children, remaining aloof from strangers Especially whites) un- til confidence has been established, aI- ter which they become most loyal and faithful. Upon my arrival, l organ ized a hunting party of seven we'll posted native hunters, who were boat experts, trail finders, gun carriers and all-around outdoor guides and luggage toters. This cavalcade once organ ized, remained in my employ during my sojourn. Handling their badly de- preciated currency in payment for ser vices, removed me from any accusation of being a spendthrift.
 English traders came into that sec ton, exchanging bright fIashy articles mirrors, beads, cheap ammunition and obsolete guns for hides. alligator skins, tobacco, reed-woven articles, cocoanuts and minerals. My modern guns and automatic postols were continuous source of wonder. Wing shooting, they had never seen at tempted, and my proVess in that direc- ton was a revelation. My buShmen recounted the shots they had seen me make afield on moving objects, and many were the applications from out SiderS to accompany us, as 1t was their desire to see and confirm the stories of wonderful shooting. One fact noticed, when a stray native was per
 mitted to join my outfit, he immedi- ately became, by native assignment, the "heWer of wood and carrier of water for our party. It soon became evident to me. they had joined out not as a matter of curiosity but to industriously participate in our cul- mary department We had two canoes about 25 feet long-hewn from logs called by the natives ulas. The boat I occupied was fitted with a comfor able chair, located we'll forward in the canoe, that might miss no opporuun ity 70 shoot. They were most expert boatmen, either with paddle or pnut pole never grew weary or irritable, birding themselves upon the noiseless manner in which they could propel ula through the water with scarcely a ripple. When headed for home. the game question sidetracked they would break into chant in their native tongue, which had the same effect as stepping on the accelorater, paddles were piled much more rapidly; the louder they sang and walled, the faster our canoe was driven. This uncanny chant inn bued me with the ''Willies.' By boat men were of a Colorado Maduro shade. with muscles like steel standing out in knots as the paddles were applied. Rather short of stature, loyal, with happy dispositions. they were always industrious in my behalf. Married by the common law and consent route, they were never expected home until their wives saw them coming. With consorts, children and dogs, they travel from state to state without giv- inc n0 AfoT nRf raac c-zir n kr~sa- tion.
 Much of my time was devoted to hunting al1igators and crocodiles many being found in adjacent bayous. It is impossible to roam in the jungles without meeting up with funny inci- dents. We entered a bayou, I was seated in the bow of our ula, boat was skirting the shore, and we were on the lookout for saurians> who were out taking a sun bath. As we turned a point I located an especially large one nestIing in the overhanging moss at the root of tree, with just the point of his nose exposed. It was impos- sible to get a favorable position for d finishing shot. When directly in front of his lair, it was up to me to get busy and guess out a, vulnerable point of his anatomy. When my rifle cracked, it only served to stir up the animal as did the additional shots fired. He ' rectly toward our canoe. I landed another bullet into his system which failed to even slow him up. On he came; was it an attack or an escape l? He was swimming high in the water. Ducking our canoe, he turned us tur- tie in the bat of an eye. Would he return to finish a well started job or continue into deeper water? Coming to the surface, I immediately headed for the shore, Ignoring my compan- ions who were a close second in the race. We then gathered for confer ence. The alligator had escaped, guns bottom, soon to be rescued by my boat men. who were all expert water rats, diving with eyes wide open. It is amusing to tell at this writing, but occasioned a "cold sweat at the hap pening- The following day the alli- gator came to the surface, dead. He was skinned. teeth extracted, his car- cass then dedicated to the awaiting vultures. who soon properly polished his bones. The end of a perfect day. Question: Do you advise women to learn to shoot a gun? If so, why and where would I go to be taught? What would be a course in shooting cost?- Mrs D. T. R., Indianapolis, Ind
 Answer: Emphatically yes. Every woman should know how to handle firearms. It is to their advantage from many angles. To know how to handle a gun allays fear and esta ablishes a | personal confidence. It is frequently the case that a woman, without firing a shot. could intimidate marauders. if
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