At Kerepunu we experienced considerable noise and worry. Here, too, we
judged it prudent to remove very little belonging to the deceased
teacher. At Hula, my house had been entered, but the few things stolen
were mostly returned. Here, too, we have left goods, until some definite
course be decided upon. Strange to say, at Hula, where we expected the
least trouble and danger, there we had the greatest; indeed, on one or
two occasions, affairs assumed a rather serious aspect. The main idea
present in the native mind was to take advantage of us in our weakness
and sorrow. After a very brief stay at Hula, we left there on the 15th,
reaching Port Moresby the following day; and on the 17th I left for
Thursday Island.
The natives of Hood Bay attribute this massacre to the influence of
Koapina, the Aroma chief, he having assured the Kalo people that
foreigners might be massacred with impunity, citing as an illustration
the massacre at Aroma last July, and pointing out at the same time the
great fame that had thereby accrued to his own people.
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