Two Years Among the Savages of New Guinea.

such as I spent in 1887, seems unnatural.

l the snowfl

ight loud rav

the fire gl

cosy, sil

it I on t

light's che

to the b

ong-forgo

00° in the shade. All nature seems weighed down by the oppressive atmosphere. One feels too

ed to eight to ten fathoms. One or two of their divers were paralysed, and the whole of their fleet in a few months left for their old quarters, evidently having had enough of New Guinea waters. Not long

ats had anchored in China Straits, remaining until afte

fully laid out on rudely-constructed tables, set in the open air, under the cano

tive of the delicacies proc

Real

-Kin

st Lamb &

-Roast

old Corn

tle & Scall

elette, F

-Yams, Tar

ee

les, Mangots, Paw-paws,

ager Beer, Whisk

, consisting of captains, mates, trader

-class waiters they are. Captain Runcie, of the S.S. Gympie, an old habitué of New Gu

he small hours of the morning. Some of the feasters had some difficulty in the morning in finding their respective vessels. I must not forget to mention that we had a Chinese song by one "Ah Gim," a worthy member of that race, and a most respectable man. He has been engaged in the Bêche-de-mer fisheries, New Guinea, for

lating myself on the prospect of reaching Wari (35 miles distant) that evening, when the wind, which was blowing from the south, increased to a gale. Our dinghy was being towed astern, and in our haste to get it on board, and from the force of the wind, the tow-rope somehow or other got adrift, and away went the dinghy, which was soon lost to sight. Our little craft was headed fo

ds. In the morning a number of large canoes came alongside of us with a quantity of bags of copra, which I took on board. At noon, the sun shining fiercely, I determined to go on shore, so jumping into one of t

avoid an encounter, I thought it prudent to return to my little vessel. I jumped into one of their canoes and was soon on board, telling them at the same time that I purposed returning in a month or two, when I hoped they would have plenty of copra for me. The next day, the wind still blowing furiously, I decided to r

aused an unfavourable wind. Not, however, believing that I was the plaything of devils, I determined to make an effort by way of a dead beat to windward. The boat would not sai

ter beating about for three days, a distance of only

nd the island of Wari, a few hundred yards distant, stood out in bold relief, with Bell Rock on our right, so called from its likeness to a bell. It is a perpendicular rock, several hundred feet high, most

lot, and keep a sharp look-out. With the silvery moon lighting up our path, and a strong breeze from the south-east, we made the attempt, anxiously peering over the side with the unple

t budge an inch. I sent a couple of natives to the island. They had to

urning out at such an unearthly hour. We all worked with a will, and after a number of spasmodic efforts we got clear of the reef, only to get on another one a few minutes later. I suspended the certificate of the pilot for the next 12 months, and I am afraid to write the language which, on the occasion, se

beating against the hard coral, she stood a very good chance of breaking up, or having a hole knocked in her bottom. The wind blowing straigh

ing the north-east end, pick up my anchorage in the

one. The anchorage is sheltered by a large cora

ls set (a strong south-easter blowing astern), and

uckily we had a spare mainsail on board, belonging to another boat. We managed to set it in a fashion, and after many difficulties, circum

the south-east of Milne Bay, and as the trade wind bl

ng by half a mile broad. It is most fert

ty of good water. A ridge of hills runs right through its centre from E.N.E. to W.S.W. There are three villages c

is still better, can be thoroughly trusted. The word "Dim-Dim" means "a white man,"

The day after I landed I had an attack of fever, and what with sicknes

is carried in boxes made of coco-nut and beautifully carved. They also eat with it a leaf which is rather peppery but pleasant to the taste. The betel-nut grows luxu

l villages, and was in every instance

volens, to chew, though I must confess I do not relish the operation, and lastly the "bau-bau," a family pipe, was produce

cts to show them that you appreciate their demonstration of hospitality. I

ed the habit of smoking, and very soon become invet

d where tobacco is entirely unknown, but befo

t long, circular, with a big hole at one end and a small hole at the other. The tobacco is rolled in a pan-danus leaf in the form of a cigarette, placed in the small hole and lighted, the smoke is then bl

in a circle. The pipe is always artistically c

ched, capable of holding two persons. I had to pay one American hatchet for it. It came

d. It is surprising how quickly they can travel, and how close to the wind they can go. They go out with them in all sorts

ai, Wai-wai," and when the great sail has been hoisted to the peak, he calls out, "Besi" (that will d

rs of the white egg-shaped cowrie shell, and, like

instances taking sago in their large canoes a distance of

and stowed them safely on board, I took advantage of a l

of 18 hours I dropped the an