During their absence, the women sail
about and trade, going as far as Dedele in Cloudy Bay, being one and the
same people. Canoes from the westward might have called at Toulon when
the men were on the mainland fighting and planting, and seeing only
women, would soon report a woman's land. Many years ago an Elema canoe
was carried away there. They were kindly treated by the Amazons, but at
Dedele on returning, were attacked and several killed; they naturally
reported a woman's land too.
The following week we visited Dedele in Cloudy Bay, which had been
visited two years previously by Messrs. Lawes and McFarlane. The village
was barricaded with high and thick mangrove sticks, with a narrow opening
to the sea. They objected to my landing, and formed a crescent in front
of the boat. I sprung ashore and asked for the chief. I held out a
piece of hoop-iron, and a rather short, well-built man, dressed with
boar's tusks and other ornaments, stepped forward and took my present. He
took me by the hand, and led me to the village, just allowing me to peep
in at the opening.
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