Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-15


IgOrote tribes is almost thing of the
past, but l can remember the time
when their national sport in full
swing, and I honestly believe there
are few head hunters in Luzon today who
haven't forgotten the time when they hunted
me although it happened IS years ago. I don't
cary sticks of dynamite about with me for
nothing.
The Igorotes are with very few exceptions
finely developo and courageous men. The
American Government of the Philippines freely
enlists them for service IN the ConStabulary,
and they make good troops. But at the time
my adventure happened they were running
wild and their very name was dreaded. / had
been killing two birds with one stone in Luzon
In the first instance looking over the reported
asbestos deposits in IlocoS Norte. and investi-
eating q very promising field of the beautiful
La Msriposa-or Phalaeanopss-orchid. which
is widely scattered from north to south of
the Philippine Islands.
While hunting north Of BanQui, nocoS Norte,
I encountered tribe Of the head hunters-the
Apayao 1 cannot say was at all pleased to
see them, though they seemed civil enough and
laxative They displayed the keenest interest
and curiosity IN what I was doing in Luzon
and told me . marvellous story AL about min
erals and orchids to be found at the head of
the river. All nay old scouting instincts were
aroused. pressed the Apayao for details and
soon felt convinced that there was something
in their StOry-enough anyway to justify
reconnaissance Of the ground. It seemed likely
enough that there might be mineral riches in
the upper reaches Of the river, and the idea
attracted me. There was, however, big
black ny in the jam. This presumed FL Dorado
happened to be situated in the territory of
the Kalinassan tribe of Igorotes who had the
deserved reputation Of being the vilest gang Of
head hunters in Luzon.
1 decided to risk it, bat chose my comrades
with more than usual care and engaged q tough
NREfA fNf nf
whom I armed with Winchester rifles and
Winchester repeating shotguns. For myself
had my heavy Mauser automatic. And the
BuTdett arsenal for this trip included IS sticks
Of dynamite with decorators and fuses.
THUS We set out to explore the highlands
at the head Of the river, where the Kali
naSsanS might well be waiting, agog with pleas
urable anticipation TO add our heads TO their
cOlection-just ~ collect minerals and
orchids.
Everything went OF quietly and well on the
Journey up the river. and We had reached our
objective before things began to happen. One
Of the stories had heard-and taken with q
pinch Of sak-was about q wall Of sold gold
with q bag black snake on It. when one Of the
ApAyaos who accompanied on the trip said
he would guide me to it i thought 1t would be
interesting to get An explanation Of the yarn.
When reached the locality where this sight
was to be seen I was naturally anxious to look
il and pushed On ahead Of the main party
with Q couple Of ApAyao scouts. For about
two hours We followed the course of the river
until rounding o sweeping bend I saw the
. Golden wah Of the Black Snake great dyke
that gittteref in the afternoon sun like = mass
OF FURNISHED gold.
"GOld!" cried the Scouts-and knew they
.WsTe enjoying my undisguised establishment
Viewing that huge mass Of scintillating min
eTal. believe had almost begun to think
had found the greatest gold mine in the world,
but knew. q course. that gold in the natural
state never looked like that. And high up o
huge black hand struggled across its shining
face From the respectful distance where my
scouts had halted-and they wouldn't bulge .
GCot nearer-N certainly looked IS If the shape
Of enormous python lay there. 1 had to
make nay investigations alone and discovered
o. L expected, arSenical pyrites Of very little
commercial value. The BLACK Snake a
lode Of suiphide. It assayed high in gold
copper and silver, but the obvious difficulties
Of transportation precluded any possibility Of
working it, an obstacle which has negatived
many otherwise valuable discoveries have
made. Old Dame Nature has an exasperating
lrick Of showing her priceless treasures to the
hxpIcVer frOA the other side Of an impassihle
barrier. w.t., .,. ~. = $500. 50. ....' !,