Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers

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I landed with them, and went up through the villages, then returning to
the boats we were told to remain there. Shortly three pigs were brought,
and our return presents of _uros_, etc., were carried off. Bob's
calabash has brought him a host of friends. Piri is with his friends at
one end of the village, and in the opposite I am to reside in my friend
Rahe's _dubu_. Semese is his father, and a very old man. The number of
old men and old women and children is astonishing. No enemy dare come
near their villages, and their houses have never been burnt down. The
Boera chief--a capital fellow to have--speaks this dialect very fluently.
Our people at first were very much afraid, but soon settled down, and are
now roving about.
Suddenly the war-horn was heard blowing--not the pig-horn, so often heard
on the coast. I wondered what was up, but it turned out to be only the
youth training. Two new double canoes came down the river with large
complements of paddles, all young lads, gaily dressed. A number of young
men, painted and extravagantly dressed, have been here; they lately
killed some Moveavans, and are hence greatly admired by old and young.
I had to take off my boots and socks, and allow my feet to be admired,
also to show off my chest. All shout with delight, and every new arrival
must have a look. The sun was frightfully hot. Some men were fishing on
the breakers; they had a long post, with a cross-bar, on which they
stand, fixed in the sand, head covered with native cloth, and bow and
arrow ready.
A number of people came in from Vailala. They wish I would go down with
them, but it is too late to go so far in an open boat. I have had
another meeting with the leading men, and I think all is now peace. My
friend Rahe seems a great personage, with relatives innumerable. He