The travelling was
difficult, until we arrived on the path leading to the creek and up to
Uakinumu. When on the spur, the old man shouted for the youths to come
and help us; they cooeyed back, and we hoped to see them in about an
hour, or at the most two hours; after waiting and no one coming, we
descended, and when at the creek met a youth coming slowly along and
saying others were following. I felt sure they delayed their coming to
meet us until we should be near the village, where they would take the
bags and receive tobacco and salt; but they were sold; we trudged on, and
would not let them have a bag. We took no notice of those we met, and to
their solicitations asking to carry bags we turned a deaf ear. The
chief's eldest son came along and begged to have my bag. No, on no
condition. The poor old chief was in a sad state; but as we are likely
to require their services some future day, it is necessary to teach them
that for work or service they will be paid, but for skulking, and hoping
to get tobacco and salt, their hopes are futile.
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