Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers

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so now; and if we return safe, won't the people be ashamed?"
We left Port Moresby about nine a.m. with a light head wind; outside
found the current very strong, setting easterly. We arrived at Boera at
four p.m., and found Piri and his wife ready to start at once. Piri has
a Boera crew, and we increased ours here by two. Here the natives did
not seem at all afraid, and many wished to accompany us.
On leaving Boera, it was a beautiful clear and moonlight night, and there
was a light land breeze. Pulling brought us to Varivara Islands, in
Redscar Bay, about two a.m., where we anchored until six when we tried to
make Cape Suckling. As it was blowing hard from the north-west, we had
to put into Manumanu. The Motu traders did all they could to persuade us
to give up Motumotu, and to visit Kabadi. Both crews would gladly have
given up; their friends told them to leave us, and return in the trading
canoes. They came to me to say "the bad weather has set in, the winds
and rains are here, we cannot go on."
I replied, "Think, my children, of the disgrace. We started to go to
Motumotu, and at the first breath of contrary wind we put back. It must
not be. Let us try it a little longer, and if the wind increases we can
put back, and not feel ashamed."
"You are right," they rejoined; "we will go on with you."
At sunset we all got into our boats, and were ready for a start. A
fellow who has just returned from Kabadi thought to get over me by
saying, "Tamate, Kabadi are looking daily for you, and they have a large
present ready; feathers in abundance and sago; your two boats cannot take
half."