Seeing there was nothing for it—­that go I would—­they consented, and the Meroka folks picked up the things, and away we went.  It was a short walk across the side of a ridge, down about 600 feet and up to 1500, and then along another ridge.  We soon had crowds to see us, men, women, and children; and all were delighted, for we bought their taro.  The village we stayed at was new, and they told us formerly they lived further in on the mountain, but a man was eaten by the Jakoni, and they came down.  A number of natives were in mourning for the man eaten.  After some time, we got up to ascend the ridge, to have a good view of the villages and decide on our position.  They tried hard to prevent us, but we went on, a few following to the next village.  They pretended great fear of the Jakoni, and at some places begged of us to tread lightly, and not to speak.  It was all a ruse to get us back.  We went on, and up to the highest village, where we had a splendid view.  We counted fourteen villages on the ridges in the Meroka basin and on the other side of the river we had crossed, and as many more known as Havele.  I believe it would be much easier to get here from Eikiri than from Sogeri.  The natives of Oriramamo, the highest village, told us they went from there to Eikiri in one day.

The people of Meroka are very mixed, some very dark, others very light.  Some of the women had quite an Eastern Polynesian look; some of the children were well-formed, and really pretty.  A few men had light-coloured whiskers; curly heads abounded, although a number had straight hair.  They say they are not Koiari.  The Koiari comprises Munikahila, Eikiri, Sogeri, Taburi, Makapili Pakari; and Eikiri is N.W. from Oriramamo; Mount Bellamy is W.N.W.  A high round mountain, I have named Ben Cruachan, east; Mount Nisbet, W.S.W.  The high rock on the easterly side of Mount Nisbet is just over the house where we slept, and will be known in future as the Clachan.  They say there are five kinds of wild animals on the mountains at the back, and but for these they could easily cross to Kupele.  The Jakoni, Gomina, and Agila are very large and fierce.  The Papara and Gadana are small, but fierce.  We were eating biscuits, and they begged for a very small piece each, to keep as a charm to help them catch pigs.  Hairs from the beard are in great demand as charms.  Having seen all we wanted, and not being able to persuade the natives to accompany us up to the mountain to see the wild animals, I decided to return to Orofedabe; so we returned to the village, gave the taro we bought to the people, paid our attendants and for the house where our things were, and away we went.  Our friends were glad to see us, and rejoiced greatly when the taboo was taken off the salt, and taro was bought.  We are having rain and thunderstorms every afternoon.