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 supposed, and says it is impossible to cross over unless we go up by Yule Island, and there he says it is dangerous, because of the cannibals.  In returning, I saw, for the first time in New Guinea, a bush of the real South Sea Island kava (Piper methysticum).

17_th_.—­We have just had a service, and through Kena we have told the natives the object of our coming and staying, that they might know of the true God, and of Jesus Christ the Saviour.  It was interesting to mark the different expressions on their faces as they heard for the first time of God—­the God of love, and that as His servants we were here.  When told of the resurrection they looked at one another; some laughed, others seemed serious.  They were very particular in their inquiries as to the name of the Great Spirit, and of His Son—­forgetting, and returning to hear it again.

18_th_.—­Here we are at Uakinumu for another trip; but alas, alas! cannot get carriers.  The young men are all off wallaby-hunting, so we must start.  This evening, a woman came in with several bamboos of grubs, which were cooked in the bamboos, then spread on leaves; some salt was dissolved in the mouth and squirted over all, and it was amusing to see the gusto with which men, women, and children partook.  Oriope is very persistent in wanting a teacher.  He was greatly delighted when I gave him a large knife; he examined it all over, then pressed it with tender affection to his bosom.  Fearing lest some friends who are with him at present might ask it from him, he returned it to me, requesting me to keep it until they left.