About half-past
eleven we left. The old chief and four carriers went with us. After
crossing the head of the Munikahila Creek we passed through fine thickly-
wooded country, that may yet become a very extensive coffee country.
After travelling for some hours, we camped 1800 feet above sea-level. On
the way the carriers struck and were for going back, but we insisted on
their going on a little further. Strange formation of country all around
here. This ridge seems alone in a large basin, one side of which is bare
perpendicular rock. There is a good quantity of cedar, but so difficult
to get away that it would never pay to work. We are north-east from
Uakinumu.
30_th_.--We started late, continued our journey along the ridge, rising
gradually to 2250 feet, and then along a fine level country for some
miles, when we began to descend. Soon our old friend began shouting, and
received an answer from a village a long way off. Close by us was a very
steep descent, down which we went till we came under the shadow of a
great rock, where we rested, and in about an hour up came ten natives
unarmed, touched our chins, and we theirs, then all squatted to smoke.
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