The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-04-16

the final count is made. For every
one lost the first mate Is personally
fined, about fifty gulden; but If he
brings a certain percentage safely to
their destination he receives a liberal
bonus
Arrived at a Samaritan port, the
coolies pass single file down the gang
way between two officers and con-
tractors agent, who check them as
they go-men, women, boys and girls,
with folded mats under their arms and
their possessions tied up in long cloths
slung around their necks and resting
on their hips. Only those with babies
are kept apart and counted last, lest
one tiny head should be overlooked.
They are a picturesque lot In their
gay-colored clothes. Most of the wom-
en- go bareheaded, their black hair
brushed back and knotted behind, with
strings Of coral beads hanging around
their necks and big buttons of gold
and silver, jade. amber or ebony ex-
tending from their pierced ear-lobes.
Brilliant scarves half conceal their
fresh white corsages, and leather belts
with massive silver buckles encircle
sarongs of many hues.
Around the heads Of nearly all the
men one finds twisted the universal
brown kerchiefs of Java, Haunting
starched corners; and, In addition to
their sarOngs and few short coats
and pajama tops, there is noticeable
Partially for white undershirts and
long pink drawers.
Fine Rubber and Tobacco Land.
The entire east coast Of Sumatra L.
low and fiat, an alluvial plain formed
by silt washed down from the noun
ta1ns by an extremely heavy rainfall.
plain between mountains and sea.
which, behind its mangrove fringe.
forms the splendidly rich lands Of rub
Der end tobacco estates, has gradually
been built up and Is steadily being ex-
tended.
The mangrove plays a considerable
part in this extension because Of ita
powers of reproduction.
Growing partly in the shallow water
Of the littoral, these trees spread out
a labyrinth Of surface roots that act
as framework for the accommodating
mud, which In the course Of time rises
above the surface and forms land.
The shallow water and shifting mud
banks Of the coast make the location
Of ports unreliable and frequently ne
,essItate their removal or abandon
nent after they have once been estab-
ished.
Although large steamers now dock
n the port of Deli, like most other SUI :.
natran ports 1t is but a broad, mud
,olored stream winding sluggishly c
through dense equatorial swamps. A
'ailroad enters this port, largely on n
tilts, and carries one some miles be- t
ore he Is really on solid ground.
Medan, capital of the government Of
he east coast Of Sumatra, Is IA miles
inland from Deli. 1t Is modern f
own, created by the Dutch and laid !.
ut in an attractive manner. G.
There Is an airy appearance and il
heerful white mans" atmosphere n
bout the official buildings around Its G.
pacious square and the cool, shaded
treets of its European quarter.
The white bungalows are extremely
ttractive In their green and well-kept
rounds, shaded by tall royal palms, =
nbber trees. bamboo, banyans, g
flames Of the forest" travellers trees p'
nd other tropical growth. a.
The huge buildings Of the Deli CON-
any, with European hospital and L
asylum Tor native i'm
ligrants, are almost hidden in the Sc
ense verdure Of a park filed with Il,
eautiful shade trees. Farther ont \,
re the native compounds and various .
static quarters.
Medan's prosperity and Importance III
re due to its location In the center Of pr
lie rich tobacco lands; and, owing to Id
IFS, with the consequent demand for 10
Dor and to the scarcity Of native Su, tn
atrese, Its population Of about $4,000 a,
a very mixed ona w