Paura, a chief from Motu Lavao, is in.  The people, it seems, told him, being helaka day, I could not meet him, and he did not come up hill.  He is rather a nice-looking fellow, with a mild, open countenance.  Kone told him to tell the Paitana natives, who murdered James and Thorngren, that, if they wished peace and friendship, they must come in here and sue for it; that I could not first go to them, as they were the offenders and murderers.

Arrangements were at once made for erecting a wooden house at Delena, measuring thirty-six feet by eighteen feet, material for which was easily procurable.  On the 30th of May, Queen Koloka, her husband, and a number of men and women came in.  The Prince Consort first came up, all over smiles, followed in half an hour by his wife and maids.  After formally receiving her, I presented Mrs. Lawes’s present.  I unloosed the parcel, and turned maid-of-honour in real waiting.  Her Majesty was chewing betel-nut, but that did not prevent my putting the dress on; first attempt all wrong, the front became the back, and the back the front.  At length I succeeded, and, after fastening the dress, tied a pretty kerchief round the royal neck.  There was great excitement, in every mouth a thumb, a few moments of silence, and then every soul spoke and shouted.  It was amusing to see her husband, uncles, maids, old men and women, young men and maidens, gather round the royal presence, wonder and admire, and then shout, Oh misi haine O! (Mrs. Lawes).  Ah, Koloka, I wonder how you are going to get out of that dress to-night; will you understand buttons, hooks, and eyes?

During my stay at Delena, one of those warlike incursions by hostile tribes so common in New Guinea took place.  My presence and influence happily brought about an early and satisfactory settlement of the dispute.  I extract the following from my journal:—­

June 2_nd_.—­Our friends seem troubled, and their house-building earnestness is somewhat abated.  I find they have heard that the Lolo tribe intend making a raid on them.  Is it on them, or on us?  Their great hope is that we shall use our guns, and so frighten the invaders.  I tell them that we cannot do this; that we are men of peace, and have no wish to frighten any one.  It seems Maiva is very disturbed; they are fighting all round, avenging Oa’s death, and may soon be expected here.  Maiva would not interfere with us, but Lolo I would not trust.

We shall have to keep a good look-out to-night.  Our friends seem very troubled and excited.  I have given warning that any one coming near our camp must call out my name and his or her own.  No one can come near without our knowing, as my terrier Flora is a splendid watch-dog.  This evening, some women passed camp, carrying their valuables to hide away in the bush.  Bob asks, “Suppose Lolo natives come to us, what we do?” “Of course they will not come near to us unless they mean to attack, and then we must defend ourselves.”  The guns are ready.  It is not pleasant; but I fancy they will not molest us, so hope to sleep well, knowing we are well cared for by Him who is never far off.  Through much trouble we get to be known, and the purpose for which we come is understood.