18_th_.--Here we are at Uakinumu for another trip; but alas, alas! cannot
get carriers. The young men are all off wallaby-hunting, so we must
start. This evening, a woman came in with several bamboos of grubs,
which were cooked in the bamboos, then spread on leaves; some salt was
dissolved in the mouth and squirted over all, and it was amusing to see
the gusto with which men, women, and children partook. Oriope is very
persistent in wanting a teacher. He was greatly delighted when I gave
him a large knife; he examined it all over, then pressed it with tender
affection to his bosom. Fearing lest some friends who are with him at
present might ask it from him, he returned it to me, requesting me to
keep it until they left.
20_th_.--Last night, after turning in, I heard a peculiar noise, as of
some one in great distress, then loud speaking in a falsetto voice, and
knew then what was up--we had a spiritist in the village, and revelations
were now about to be made. We were all named, and the places we were to
visit.
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