Adventures in New Guinea James Chalmers

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We are now in Nameanumu, in the Sogeri district, and in a fine house
twelve feet from the ground. We are about 1530 feet above sea-level.
Teachers here need have no difficulty about food; there is a great
abundance all round of taro, banana, sugar-cane, and bread-fruit. A
teacher with some "go" in him, and a good earnest wife to help him, would
do well here. I am inclined to think an easier way here will be from
Moumiri; but we have to travel with natives where they can take us with
safety to themselves. Sitting round the fire a little while ago, our
spirit friend having just left us, an old woman shouted out to Oriope to
look out, as the spirit was about to go through the thatch near to where
he was sitting. Instant search was made, but nothing found. She then
called out from her verandah that it had gone, as Rua and Maka were doing
something with their guns. I may say the old woman was with us last
night, and heard my threat. We have had the description here of some
other animal that is in the Kupele and Moroka districts. It is a
dangerous one to go near, and several have lost their lives from it.
24_th_.--Very heavy rain. A number of people have come in from the
villages to have a look at us, so I have to go through the process of
baring arms and chest. This forenoon they described an animal to us that
I think must be the tiger--a long animal, with a long tail and large
paws, treads lightly when seeing its prey, and then bounds upon it,
tearing the bowels out first. They say they are as long as the
house--twelve feet. We are not prepared to tackle such, customers. Our
host is a quiet man, with a very pleasing expression of countenance. I
like the people much, and pray God the day is near when they shall have
the Gospel preached unto them, and receive it, and know it to be the
power of God unto salvation. Evil spirits reign over them, and the
utterance of every rascally spiritist is thoroughly believed.