Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers
Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers
Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers
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23<br />
We walked about seven miles through bush, and then began the ascent of<br />
one of the spurs of the Astrolabe. On near<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>land village for<br />
which we were bound, the natives became somewhat afraid, and the leader<br />
stopped, and, turn<strong>in</strong>g to Mr. Lawes, asked him if he would <strong>in</strong>deed not kill<br />
any of the people. He was assured all was right, and then he moved on a<br />
few paces, to stop aga<strong>in</strong>, and re-<strong>in</strong>quire if all was right. When<br />
reassured, we all went on, not a word spoken by any one, and so <strong>in</strong><br />
silence we entered the village. When we were observed, spears began<br />
rattl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the houses; but our party shouted, _Ma<strong>in</strong>o_, _ma<strong>in</strong>o_ (Peace,<br />
peace), _Misi Lao_, _Misi Lao_. The women escaped through the trap-doors<br />
<strong>in</strong> the floors of their houses, and away down the side of the hill <strong>in</strong>to<br />
the bush. We reached the chief's house, and there rema<strong>in</strong>ed.<br />
The people soon rega<strong>in</strong>ed confidence, and came round us, wonder<strong>in</strong>g greatly<br />
at the first white men they had ever seen <strong>in</strong> their village. The women<br />
returned from their flight, and began to cook food, which, when ready,<br />
they brought to us, and of which we all heartily partook. We gave them<br />
presents, and they would not suffer us to depart till they had brought us<br />
a return present of uncooked food. They are a f<strong>in</strong>e, healthy-look<strong>in</strong>g<br />
people, lighter than those on the coast. Many were <strong>in</strong> deep mourn<strong>in</strong>g, and<br />
frightfully besmeared. There are a number of villages close by, on the<br />
various ridges. We returned by a different way, follow<strong>in</strong>g the bed of<br />
what must be <strong>in</strong> the ra<strong>in</strong>y season a large river. The banks were <strong>in</strong> many<br />
places from eight to n<strong>in</strong>e feet high.<br />
On the follow<strong>in</strong>g morn<strong>in</strong>g, November 3rd, we weighed anchor and set sail,<br />
pass<strong>in</strong>g Kapakapa, a double village <strong>in</strong> the sea. The houses are large and<br />
well built. There are numerous villages on the hills at the back of it,<br />
and not too far away to be visited. We anchored off Round Head, which<br />
does not, as represented on the charts, rise boldly from the sea. There