ons. A woman often passes us with a frightful load of
taro and sugar-cane on her back, and on the top of all an infant in a net
basket. She goes to the next house, swings the infant kit off first,
placing it on the ground, where the infant in it kicks and rolls, but
cannot get out until the kits of taro and sugar-cane are safely housed.

14_th_.--This morning, after an early breakfast, we started with the Port
Moresby natives for Munikahila, they being anxious to secure a supply of
betel-nuts to return with. Have promised our old friend Oriope of
Uakinumu, before we started on the Eikiri trip, that if he led us across
and gave us bearers, all should have tomahawks, knives, etc. He did not
carry out his part, and the bearers from him returned, leaving us inland.
I was anxious to pay them for what they did, so we went on there with
tomahawks, tobacco, and salt. We were about two miles from the village,
when we shouted, and were replied to, and soon four young fellows came
rushing along, in a great state of perspiration and very excited, rubbing
our chins and throwing their arms around us, highly delighted that we had
returned. They were not going to serve us as they did the last time. We
reached the village, and were seated with strangers and surrounded by old
friends, when Oriope, who had been on his plantation, came along to where
we were, nearly breathless, and streaming with perspiration; he threw his
arms around me, embraced me, rubbing his dirty moist cheeks on mine,
sitting down and not speaking for some time. When he began, he said he
was afraid we were terribly offended, and would not return; but, having
returned to him, we must stay. No, we cannot; we must return to Keninumu
that night. Ah, he could manage it; he would have us tied, and so detain
us. Four coast natives who knew the Koiari language were with us. We
told our old friend we wanted a large quantity of betel-nuts, and that he
had better set out at once for them. Soon the women and lads were off.
We then removed to our old house on the rock, and there told him, through
the interpreter, what we had expected of him, and that he had not done
it, but that having told him we should pay them, we had come now to do so
for the journey made. We gave our tomahawks, tobacco, and salt, and the
old man was truly delighted, saying, "I and my people will take you
wherever we may go with safety." He does not go to sea on the other
side, as Mr. Lawes suppo