Prev | Current Page 153 | Next

Chalmers, James, 1841-1901

"Adventures in New Guinea"

At the village we slept the last two
nights they did all they could to detain us, because of the salt and
beads. They were assisted by Oriope, who was anxious that all should go
to his cousin and friends, with whom we were staying. In a conversation
they had under the house, shortly after we arrived, I could hear
sufficient to enable me to understand they would keep us there, and not
let other villages get salt and beads. I got thoroughly vexed with the
old man, and told him he could return home, and that unless we saw
numerous villages with plenty of people we should not again return here.
He turned right round, and told us we should see Favele and Meroka, and
many villages, only we must return to his cousin's; that was all right,
we certainly should return. This morning, I told him to remain and take
care of his wife; that the people here would lead us and carry our
things. He begged of me to leave some of the things to ensure our
return, and I did so. Some of the people here are very dark and others
very light.


Pages:
141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165