To find so interesting a community was of great moment, and everywhere we
went we inquired, but only to be laughed at by the natives; sometimes
asked by them, "How do they continue to exist?" But that, too, puzzled
us. As no part of the coast from East Cape to Port Moresby would be left
unvisited by us, we were certain to come across the Amazonian settlement,
and when we did, it would be useful to keep a sharp look-out, as I have
noticed that the instigators of nearly all quarrels are the women. I
have seen at South Cape, when the men were inclined to remain quiet, the
women rush out, and, as if filled with devils, incite them. Just after
the attack on the _Mayri_, and when I was going about the settlement
attending to the wounded, I heard the women call loudly for vengeance,
and, because the men would not at once heed them, throw their shields on
the ground and batter them with stones, then pull their hair, and tell
the men they were only poor weak cowards.
We heard that Mailiukolo (Toulon) canoes with women were more numerous,
and some very large ones with women alone.
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