SPANISH TROGLODYTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7923, 30 January 1904, Page 4

SPANISH TROGLODYTE.

WILD MAN EOUND IN THE BASQUE MOUNTAINS. The discovery of a troglodyte (cavedweller) in the Basque provinces, near Fuenterrabia, on the Franco-Spanish frontier, has aroused considerable curiosity. As a Customs guard' with bis degs was searching in th© wood an extraordinary being in the image of al man was seen to rush 'before him with wonderful rapidity, and to disappear' into a hole in a mountain. The guard' followed on, and found the wild man had blocked- up the entrance to bis cave with pieces of timber and, stones, which, however, were easily removedi and the man was captured. He was absolutely prehistoric in appearranoe. His only garment was a skin tied round! the hips. His long and matted beard 1 fell over his chest like a cloak, while his hair trailed _own bis back in a thick mass. In bis cave were found numerous bones of sheep, deer and other animals which be had eaten, a sling, a club and a stone axe. A bed of moss was his only furniture. The guard brought the troglodyte to Fuenterrabia, where his appearance created a sensaition. Before the Magistrate h© explained that bis name was Prudencio, be was twenty-eight years old, and bad 1 been, when, an infant, an inmate of a foundling hospital in San Sebastian. He had formerly acted ais farm hand, but two years ago, being unable to find work, and being in great distress, h© took to the forest. There he lived on acorns, hazel nuts and birds' eggs. Little by little he learned to use a sling and the axe, and was able to kill deer and sheep which had strayed. As he ball no fire be ate the. flesh of these animals 'raw. f