In the tracks of the trades: The account of a fourteen thousand mile yachting cruise to the Hawaiis, Marquesas, Societies, Samoas and Fijis, [Hardcover]

Lewis Ransome Freeman (Author), Lewis R. Freeman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1920

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV HUNTING IN THE MARQUESAS The French have never actually prohibited the carrying of arms in the Marquesas, as have the British in the Solomons; but the possession and use of guns has been so hedged about with restrictions as practically to accomplish the same purpose. This is about the way it goes: Coming to the islands with a gun, a permit must first be secured before it may be landed. This allows you to take it to your domicile but not to take it out again. If you would carry it with you on the street, a "Port des Armes" is required, which allows you, however, to fire it only in your own backyard, and when that sanctum is enclosed with a metre-high stone wall. If you desire to fire it anywhere else, a "Permit de Chasse" must be obtained. Finally, if you come to the conclusion that the possession of a gun in the Marquesas imposes too many burdens, and decide to dispose of it, a permit to sell is required; and if, later, you regret your action and want to get it back again, a permit to purchase will have to be taken out before the deal can be consummated. Each of these permits costs a good, stiff fee, and it is largely this which is responsible for the fact that the Marquesan native hunts today much after the fashion of ancient times--with his wits and his hands. A hunt of this kind comes nearer being real sport--that is, of giving the quarry as good a chance to take the hunter's life as the latter has to take that of the quarry--than any form of the chase since the days of the troglodytes, and lucky indeed may the white man esteem himself who is allowed to join one of them. I eliminated a good deal of the sporting element on both the occasions on which I went out by carrying, and using, a rifle or revolver, but as neither of these weapons--thro...

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 380 pages
• Publisher: Dodd, Mead and Company; 1st edition (1920)
• ASIN: B00085PFRA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,649,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Travel > Australia & South Pacific > Fiji