HEAD-HUNTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 215, 16 October 1909, Page 3

HEAD-HUNTERS.

RUDE SAVAGES STILL IX THE STONE AGE. BRITISH EXPLORERS' PERIL. After two years among the savages ill Dutch New Guinea Mr. Pratt, a Britisn naturalist, and ids two sons have (says the I'all Mall Gazette) returned to Kainarang". Java, with strange experience* to tell. Mr. Pratt is a seasoned explorer of a.i years His travels have extended ovicide tenilorhs in China, Thibet, South America, and Asia Minor. He had four years in the llritish and Dutch sections of New Guinea, and then took a vacation in Great Hritain.

Two years ago he came out with his two soiis, and lauded at Doreh, in tiedvink Ha v. where missionaries have been stationed for over lifty years. Behind Doreh stretch the Arfak mountains, with Iwo I n rife lakes lying at a height of Sllllllft above the sea. There the naturalist,, took up their quarters, ni the inidsi of savage Papuans, whose characteristics they soon discovcreu were unti'iislworlhiiicss and thirst for blood.

Thev were yiglll on the extreme fringe of the Dutch authority, so they had to look after themselves to the utmost. They found the savages far below the African natives, without knewledge or understanding of the most elementary virtires—even kindliness or thankfulness. They were of good physique, and lived , partly by agriculture, 'but their habits i were loathsome. GUARDED -BY A FIERCE WATCHDOG. 1 It was Iragcly due to his ability lo , keep his temper, even under provocation, j that Mr. Pratt was <ible to manage ' them. They fancied that the traveller ! must have supernatural powers to eon--1 trol his anger, anil in addition lo that I they were notified by the Dutch atltliori- ' tie* that any harm to the naturalists I would meet with prompt vengeance. ' At night the tent of the explorers was ! guarded by a fierce watch-dog, 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 the others explored in company invari- ' ably. In this way they have gathered i large collections of turds, insects, and I plants. | Their tent was pitched in an exposed I position far from any native dwellings, and into those huts they never went unless it became necessary, ami then never alone. For food they had tinned provisions, plantains, and potatoes, hut <o tough were their constitutions that this 1 scanty range of diet did not affect them. i Besides, the climate, around the lakes was glorious. Two thousand feet higher up the ! mountains it was bitterly- cold at night, but the natives could stand it without any clothing at all. At night they have a process of providing themselves with fire. They carry on scarcely any trade, find live mainly on plantains and potatoes, the latter having been introduced by missionaries ill ISoo. A SIGHT OF THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS.

Perpetual warfare is waged among fh'. l tribes, for treachery is constant, and every death leads to blood vengeance. Tile naturalists were often goaded to near the danger-point of shooting, but restrained themselves, and so w M to some extent the confidence of the savages. Head-hunting is u custom of the laud, and not merely are villages at w.ir with each other, but also houses at w iv against houses. The result is that fear and treachery stalk like twin demons through the island. Women never g> nut except under armed masculine guard. They do work in lite 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 1b.3 day, for vengeance Ims fallen swiftly .u the night. It is a country where every rustle may mean the approach of deatl'ibciring treachery, liven their warfa'c is stealthy murder, not open lighting in which bravery is required.

After a vein- at the lakes the travellers went to Humboldt Bay. where the mountain natives are still in the Stone Age and had never seen any Europeans. They live miserably on wild plants, insects, and grubs, with an occasional 'will pig as a delicacy. In the distance they sighted the standing problem of N'cw (iuinea—til" Snowy Mountains. Certain scientists have M-oll'ed at the title, maintaining that in that latitude there are no snow mountain*, and what has been seen is the relleclion of light from while rocks on the mountain tops. Mr. Pratt is convinced, however, that they are verilanle suoweaps.

Tin- sons ari- staying fur tlni-i- or four months in Sellout™ Island, wln-ri- there is n military post. Then tlic-v lire going home to England with their father for ;i iv-sl before returning to New fliiiii n to carry tlu-ir explorations still fuvtln-r into the unknown recesses of savage regions.