Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers

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have breakfast, dinner, and supper in one. We were ten hours on the
tramp, and carrying our bags, so feel ready for a night's rest.
5_th_.--We see where we are; but how to get out is the problem to be
solved. Ruatoka has gone to look for a track. We had a fine night, a
roaring fire at our feet, and so enjoyed sleep. Camping this way is
preferable to living in native huts, far more comfortable and enjoyable;
but for our work it is better for us to be with the natives. Uakinumu
bears south-west-by-west from us now, and could be reached in a few
hours, if only we could get down the precipice. Rua has returned. When
some distance off, he heard cooeying, and responded, when our old friend,
who had been looking for us in a great state of fear, shouted his name.
Rua told him to follow, and he did so, arriving at the camp soon after.
He was so excited he could not speak, but embraced us all round, and then
sat down.
After breakfast, we set off, each carrying a bundle. The travelling was
difficult, until we arrived on the path leading to the creek and up to
Uakinumu. When on the spur, the old man shouted for the youths to come
and help us; they cooeyed back, and we hoped to see them in about an
hour, or at the most two hours; after waiting and no one coming, we
descended, and when at the creek met a youth coming slowly along and
saying others were following. I felt sure they delayed their coming to
meet us until we should be near the village, where they would take the
bags and receive tobacco and salt; but they were sold; we trudged on, and
would not let them have a bag. We took no notice of those we met, and to
their solicitations asking to carry bags we turned a deaf ear. The
chief's eldest son came along and begged to have my bag. No, on no
condition. The poor old chief was in a sad state; but as we are likely
to require their services some future day, it is necessary to teach them
that for work or service they will be paid, but for skulking, and hoping