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Chalmers, James, 1841-1901

"Adventures in New Guinea"

I am glad I am able to mix with both parties; it
shows they mean us no harm, and speaks well for the future. No one was
killed, but several were severely wounded, and a few houses destroyed.
They have made peace at last, and I have had a meeting in the village
with all; the Loloans have promised to be quiet. I told them we could
not stay if they were to be constantly threatening. In the afternoon the
chiefs came up, and I promised to visit them all. My head aches a
little. Had I been killed, I alone should have been to blame, and not
the natives. The Delena natives say: "Well, Tamate, had you not been
here, many of us would have been killed, and the remainder gone to Naara,
never to return." There is some pleasure in being of a little use even
to savages.
The next Sunday we had a splendid service. All the young fellows dressed
for it by painting their faces. It was amusing and interesting to hear
them interpret all I said from Motuan into Loloan; and when I attempted
to use a Lolo word, they corrected me if I wrongly pronounced or
misplaced it.


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