Pointing to a passage close in shore, I suggested they had better take us off, and we would try and get her round when the tide rose; but to this they objected, and instead of becoming more friendly, it seemed to us they were just going the other way; but that may have been merely as we thought, looking at them through coloured glasses, suspicion, and a certain mixture of doubt if ever we should again see the vessel.  A few men came running along the beach.  I met them, and hurriedly asked them to take us off when they would have hoop-iron and beads.

“Yes.”

“Quick! do not let them think!  Into the nearest canoe.”

Away in the distance those in the village were shouting and gesticulating.

“Come back!  Come back, at once.”

“Oh no, my friends; pull, you must pull!” and while they are discussing we are paddling.  I tell them it would be dangerous to attempt going back.  On we go, beyond small islands in sight of vessel, and now they give up speaking of returning.  We got off, and I paid the fellows well.  Anxious to get in, we tried in many places at high tide to enter the shore channel, but all was useless.  For several miles we were sailing deep in mud, unable to work the engine.  A canoe came near, and I told them to inform those ashore that we could not get in.

At Port Glasgow, the people cleared out, bag and baggage, leaving us in quiet possession.  At Port Moresby, I had heard of a woman’s land, a land where only women—­perfect Amazons—­lived and ruled.  These ladies were reported to be excellent tillers of the soil, splendid canoeists in sailing or paddling, and quite able to hold their own against attacks of the sterner sex, who sometimes tried to invade their country.  At the East End they knew nothing of this woman’s land, and nowhere east of Hula have I ever heard it spoken of.

To find so interesting a community was of great moment, and everywhere we went we inquired, but only to be laughed at by the natives; sometimes asked by them, “How do they continue to exist?” But that, too, puzzled us.  As no part of the coast from East Cape to Port Moresby would be left unvisited by us, we were certain to come across the Amazonian settlement, and when we did, it would be useful to keep a sharp look-out, as I have noticed that the instigators of nearly all quarrels are the women.  I have seen at South Cape, when the men were inclined to remain quiet, the women rush out, and, as if filled with devils, incite them.  Just after the attack on the Mayri, and when I was going about the settlement attending to the wounded, I heard the women call loudly for vengeance, and, because the men would not at once heed them, throw their shields on the ground and batter them with stones, then pull their hair, and tell the men they were only poor weak cowards.