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Chalmers, James, 1841-1901

"Adventures in New Guinea"

The
principal man in the canoe, knowing that all, except our boatman, Bob
Samoa, had friends at Motumotu, made friends with him, rubbing noses and
handing his lime gourd, which is to be shown on arrival, and his father
and friends will receive Bob as his friends. They go on to Lolo in quest
of _uros_.
We landed to cook food. On awaking from a sleep, I was astonished to
find a crowd of natives close by, and my friend the Kaveri chief, Arana,
sitting near me. Two boys, who were on the beach fishing, seeing us
land, ran inland and reported, and he, with two of his wives carrying
food, followed by men and women from the villages, came down. His two
wives are now busy cooking, and he is trying to persuade me to call on
our return and get his present of sago and food. I could not promise,
and he seemed disappointed.
We left the Kaveri beach and pulled round Cape Possession, passing close
in by Oiapu. A heavy sea was rolling in, and a canoe putting off to us
was swamped. People running along the beach called on Piri and me by
name to land and feast, but our crews were too frightened, and we went
on.


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