Adventures in New Guinea

view with Semese, chief of Lese-Christian natives-Friendly meeting with a war canoe-Arrival at Motumotu-Friendly reception-Viewing

coast the people were much afraid, expecting a raid, and at last news came in from Maiva that Motumotu and Lese were making great preparations that they would visit Motu, kill Tamate a

ch me, but I feared they meant mischief to Kabadi and the coast villages. No time could be lost, as we were in a bad mo

as crowded, and all seemed interested. I arranged for Piri and his wife to accompany me to the Gulf, they taking the whale-boat. W

friends were gathered round weeping. The men said, "Cannot you see that if Tamate lives we shall live, and if he is murdered we shall be murdered? It is all right; we are going with him, and you will see us back all right with sago and betel-nuts." Huakonio told me in the boat

rly. We arrived at Boera at four p.m., and found Piri and his wife ready to start at once. Piri has a Boera crew,

we tried to make Cape Suckling. As it was blowing hard from the north-west, we had to put into Manumanu. The Motu traders did all they could to persuade us to give up Motumotu, and to visit Kabadi. Both

d at the first breath of contrary wind we put back. It must not be. Let us try it

ey rejoined; "we wi

from Kabadi thought to get over me by saying, "Tamate, Kabadi are looking daily for you, and t

all the sago they can prepare, will turn me now, until I have m

had a talk with that ma

and her husband, with uncles and aunts, and men and women from the village, came down. The two former were going to Maiva, and the crowd followed to see them embark

They feel sure Motumotu will receive us well, and seeing that I specially visit them, they say it will be all right. The crews feel encouraged, and are at present ashore feasting on dugong, sago, and betel-nuts. Some have been off for tobacco, and are now laughing at

canoe. At first they were afraid to come alongside of us, but after a little talk we got near them, exchanged presents, and were soon friends. They seem

but for Motumotu, the Pari, Vapukori, Port Moresby, Boliapata, and Boera trading canoes would all have been down the coast last season. The principal man in the canoe, knowing that all, except our boatman, Bob Samoa,

were on the beach fishing, seeing us land, ran inland and reported, and he, with two of his wives carrying food, followed by men and women from the villages, came down. Hi

of us to land. We would have done so here, but the sea was too high, breaking with great force on the fringing reef. Several canoes put off, but only one succeeded in reaching us. They begged of us to call on our return, and let them know the result of our visit, and said we had better also visit Lese. They think our visit will put all straight. Motumotu, they say, is very u

hore and took him by the hand. Piri and his wife followed, with part of the crew and the Boera and Port Moresby chiefs. We were led to the village, the crowd increasing as we went along. Piri noticing an enclosed place, went in to see what it was, and called me to have a look. I went in, but no women or youths followed. Inside were two large houses, with rows of masks and hats, the latter like small canoes, about

to come u

d; give him a present as such; it

atform, wrath fled, and

to Motumotu and see them. I am af

w, Lese to-day; yo

pig for ano

gested to our friends that we had better take the pigs to the other side of the entrance, to Macey Lagoon. Semese is quite agreeable, now the peace is made, and it was arranged that he and his party should visit me with sago at Port Moresby. Both

have been talking of war, not of peace; but now it may be different. To get into Motumotu in the morning, we had come to within two miles of the village, and we anchored off. Notwithstanding some anxiety, soon all were asleep. The natives were astonished at the beautiful weather, and said they felt as if all would be right-the great and good Spirit who had

, at the close of a meeting at P

ere a terror to all, east and west, but now it is different. We are at peace all round; we go about unarmed, and sleep well at night. Soon o

double fighting canoe alongside of Piri's boat, in which all were sound asleep. On

are

Piri going t

d betel-nuts. They were going to Lese to purchase uros. They came alongside of our boat, received and gave presents, and then an order was given by one from the bridge, and away they went at ful

." We went round and entered the river in deep water, close to eastern bank near to the village. Until we had a talk, I would allow none but Piri's friend and my friends, Semese and Rahe, near the boats. They had been told that we were going to fight if they visited us, and that all women and children were to be sent bac

o near Kabadi, and all along

s, and pressed us to attack Kabadi, to pay off an old attack on them. It

f 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 d

he youth training. Two new double canoes came down the river with large complements of paddles, all young lads, gaily dressed. A number of yo

and every new arrival must have a look. The sun was frightfully hot. Some men were fishing on the breakers; they had a lon

ng with the leading men, and I think all is now peace. My friend Rahe seems a great personage, with relatives innumerable. He wants to know if I would

ton and drac?na leaves, and feathers of various birds fixed on head, arms, and legs, paraded the villages. At pre

en to me to ask

you mea

me of that medicine you u

cine, only Mot

ave come along now

cine, and have

r. Our service in the morning was very noisy-everybody anxious for quiet must needs tell his neighbour to be quiet. Our old Port Moresby chief prayed in th

men, and children running as for dear life to their homes. Another hymn brought them back, armed and unarmed. We had a long talk on peace, and they wished I would go with them to Moveave, a

of the Moveavans, and they promised not to attack th

no more to go about exalting themselves, fighting with their neighbours, and speaking evil of their friends,

z., Iriho and Biaveveka. Between the latter and the mainland is an entrance into Ali

h bananas, roasted on stones, baked in the ashes, tied up in leaves, and many other ways. We have received large presents of sago, both boats bearing as much as is safe to carry. We leave in the m

they closed with a wail, chanted, with drums keeping time. Ho

in a deluge of rain. It was soon inky dark, the lightning very vivid, and the thunder deafening. Piri's boat anchored close alongside. On the weather clearing up a little, we

eace. They were greatly delighted, and will do me the honour of visiting me at Port Moresby, that is, will relieve me of some tomahawks. With

Kohu and Rahela, the first two women of New Guinea converted to Ch