It must have
been about thirty miles off, and, I should think, impossible to reach
from where we were. We were entirely surrounded by mountains: mountains
north, east, south, and west--above us and below us. I question if it
will ever be a country worth settling in.
We were anxious to spend the Sabbath at Port Moresby, so, leaving the
most of our party, who were too tired to come with us, to rest till
Monday, Mr. McFarlane, Ruatoka, and I set off on our return very early on
Saturday morning, and had strangely difficult work in getting down the
mountain side and along the river. Fireflies danced all round in
hundreds, and we awakened many strange birds before their time, which
gave forth a note or two, only to sleep again. Before daylight, we were
at Mr. Goldie's camp, where we had breakfast, and hurried on for the
river. We rested a short time there, and then away over plains to Port
Moresby, which we reached about midday, tired indeed and very footsore.
Oh, that shoemakers had only to wear the boots they send to missionaries!
Early on Sunday morning, a great many natives went out with their spears,
nets, and dogs, to hunt wallabies.
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