along.  Piri noticing an enclosed place, went in to see what it was, and called me to have a look.  I went in, but no women or youths followed.  Inside were two large houses, with rows of masks and hats, the latter like small canoes, about ten feet long, made with very light wood and native cloth.  On coming out I was seized by the hand by an elderly man, who, in a towering passion, drew me on.  All I could make out was that somebody was a thief and a liar.  The Boera chief ran up, and I asked him what was wrong.  “Oh, this is your friend, Semese, the chief you gave the present to when you were last here, and he is angry with Eeka for taking you away.”

“Tell Piri to come up quickly.”

“Piri, go with Eeka as your friend; give him a present as such; it is all right.  I go with Semese.”

Soon squatting on the platform, wrath fled, and I had to wait to be fed.

“But, Semese, I want to press on to Motumotu and see them.  I am afraid of the weather coming on bad.”

“Motumotu to-morrow, Lese to-day; you must have a pig.”

“Leave the pig for another visit.”

All was of no avail.  A fine pig was speared, brought and laid at my feet.  Semese and the people were in the very best humour.  Eeka was delighted with Piri, and the latter had a pig presented to him.  We gave our presents, and, feeling tired, I suggested to our friends that we had better take the pigs to the other side of the entrance, to Macey Lagoon.  Semese is quite agreeable, now the peace is made, and it was arranged that he and his party should visit me with sago at Port Moresby.  Both pigs, ready for cooking, were carried into the boat, and the excited crowd, this time all unarmed, were on the shore to see us off.  They promised not to molest Kabadi again, and that they considered our visit as peace with all the coast villages.

Macey Lagoon would make a splendid harbour for small vessels, very large vessels not being able to cross the bar.  On the eastern side, a bank runs out for nearly a mile, on which the sea breaks; close in by western shore is a good passage.  The great work of the day was feasting and sleeping.  There were two Lese men with us, and they said that the Motumotu have been talking of war, not of peace; but now it may be different.  To get into Motumotu in the morning, we had come to within two miles of the village, and we anchored off.  Notwithstanding some anxiety, soon all were asleep.  The natives were astonished at the beautiful weather, and said they felt as if all would be right—­the great and good Spirit who had led us so far and safely would not leave us now or on the morrow.  At every meal on board or ashore they asked a blessing, and our old friend Hula prayed with real earnest feelings.  He was certainly in earnest to-night when he prayed for the Motumotuans, and that our visit might be blessed to them.  I was charmed with his simplicity, fervour, and expectancy.