In 1879, I made a long journey inland, in a north-easterly direction from
Port Moresby. I visited many native villages, and explored the
mountainous country along the course of and between the Goldie and Laroki
rivers.
The reader will get some notion of the country, the natives, and their
customs, from the following extracts taken from a journal kept at that
time.
_July_ 15_th_, 1879.--We left Port Moresby at half-past seven, reaching
the Laroki at half-past eleven. We crossed in shallow water near to
where the Goldie joins the Laroki. We had eighteen carriers, four of
them women, who carried more than the men. After resting awhile at the
Laroki we went on about three miles farther to Moumiri, the first village
of the Koiari tribe of Port Moresby. On entering the village we took
them by surprise; the women shouted and the men rushed to their spears.
We called out, _Mai_, _mai_, _mai_ (Peace, peace, peace), and, on
recognizing who we were, they came running towards us with both hands
outspread.
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