It was a short walk
across the side of a ridge, down about 600 feet and up to 1500, and then
along another ridge. We soon had crowds to see us, men, women, and
children; and all were delighted, for we bought their taro. The village
we stayed at was new, and they told us formerly they lived further in on
the mountain, but a man was eaten by the _Jakoni_, and they came down. A
number of natives were in mourning for the man eaten. After some time,
we got up to ascend the ridge, to have a good view of the villages and
decide on our position. They tried hard to prevent us, but we went on, a
few following to the next village. They pretended great fear of the
_Jakoni_, and at some places begged of us to tread lightly, and not to
speak. It was all a ruse to get us back. We went on, and up to the
highest village, where we had a splendid view. We counted fourteen
villages on the ridges in the Meroka basin and on the other side of the
river we had crossed, and as many more known as Havele. I believe it
would be much easier to get here from Eikiri than from Sogeri.
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