HEAD-HUNTERS

Evening Star, Issue 14183, 7 October 1909, Page 6

HEAD-HUNTERS

RUDE SAVAGES STILL IN THE STONE AGE. BRITISH EXPLORERS’ PERIL. After two years among the savages in Dutch New Guinea, Mr Pratt, a British naturalist, and his two sous have, says the ‘Pall Mull Gazette,’ returned to Samarang. Java, with strange experiences to tell. Mr Pratt is a seasoned explorer of fiftyfive rears. His travels have extended over wide territories in China, Tibet, Sonth America, and Asia Minor. Ho had four years in the British and Dutch sections of Now Guinea- and then took a vacation in Groat Britain. Two years ago ho came out with his two sons and landed at Doreh. in Gcclvink Bay, where missionaries have been stationed for over fifty years. Behind Doreh stretch the Artak Mountains, with'two large Lakes lying at a height of B.oooft above the sea. There the naturalists took up their quarters, in the miciftt of savage Papuans, whose characteristics they soon discovered were m>t rust worthiness and thirst for blood. They were right on the extreme fringe of the Dutch authority-, so had to look after themselves to the utmost. They found the savages far below the African natives, without knowledge or understanding of the most elementary virtues—oven kindliness or thankfulness. They were of good physique, and lived partly by agriculture, but Uttar habits were loathsome. —Guarded by a Pierce Watchdog.—

It was largely due to bis ability to keep his temper, even under provocation, that Mr Pratt was able to manage thorn. They fancied that the traveller must have supernatural powers to control his anger, and in addition to that they were not died by the Dutch authorities that any harm to the naturalists would meet with prompt vengeance. At night the tent of the. explorers was guarded hy a fierce watchdog, of which the natives were much afraid. In the, day-time this dog always remained with the one of the party left on guard, while flic others explored in company invariably. tn this way they have gathered large collections of birds, insects, and plants. Tlteir tent was pitched in an exposed position, far from any native dwellings, and into those huts they never went unless it became necessary, and then never alone. For food they had tinned provisions, plantains, and jiolatocs. but so tough were their constitutions that this scanty range of diet did not affect them, besides, the climate around the lakes was glorious. Two tnousaiid feet higher up the mountains it was bitterly cold at night, but the natives could stand it without anv clothing at all. At night tltey have a process of providing themselves, with fire. I'hey carry on scarcely any trade, and live mainly on plantains and potatoes, tho latter haring been introduced by missionaries in 1555. ---A Sight of the .Snowy Mountains.— Perpetual warfare is waged among the tribes, for treachery is constant, and every death leads to blood vengeance. The naturalists were often goaded to near the danger point of shooting, but restrained themselves, and so won to some extent the confidence of the savages. Head-hunting is a custom of the land, and not merely are villages at war against villages, but also houses against houses. The result is that fear and treachery stalk like twin demons through tho island. Women never go out except under armed masculine guard. They do the work in the fields with a man guarding them with his native weapons. European and Chinese traders who have attempted to treat the savages with their own methods have rued tiie day, for vengeance has fallen swiftly in the' night. It is a country where every rustic may mean tho approach of death-bearing treachery. Even them warfare is stealthy murder, not open fighting in which bravery is required' After a year at the lakes the travellers went to Humboldt Bay, where the mountain natives are still in the Stone Age, and had never seen any European. They live miserably on wild plants, insects, and grubs, with an occasional wild pig as a delicacy. In the distance they sighted the standing problem of New Guinea~-the Snowy Mountains. Certain scientists have scoffed at the title, maintaining that in that latitude there are no snow mountains, and that what has been seen is the reflection of light from white rocks on the mountain tops. Mr Pratt is convinced, however, that they are veritable snow caps. The sons arc staying for three or four months in Schouten Island, where there is a military post. Then they are going home to England with their father for a rest before returning to New Guinea to carrv Heir explorations still further into the miknown recent's of futviicfc region?.