unikahila.

2_nd_.--We left this morning for a pig and cassowary hunt, but were
unsuccessful. We bagged four cockatoos, one green parrot, one brueros,
and three pigeons. Of my travelling in this land, to-day beats all; it
was along mere goat tracks, on the edge of frightful precipices, down
precipitous mountain-sides and up steep ridges, on hands and knees at
times, hanging on to roots and vines, and glad when a tree offered a
little rest and support. I gave it up at last, hungry and weary, and let
the others proceed. I stayed with a party of natives who were getting a
kind of large almond with a very thick fleshy rind, the nut inside very
hard, which they broke open with stones, filling their kits with the
kernels. They call the nut _okari_. They fed me with sugar-cane, taro,
and _okari_, and then got leaves for me to rest on. They had all their
arms handy; I was, as I am always, unarmed, and felt thoroughly
comfortable with them. Only once in New Guinea have I carried a weapon,
and then we had spears thrown at us. I consider a man safer without than
with arms. The return "home" was frightfully steep and trying to wearied
and hungry folks.

3_rd_.--Youths busy with feathers of cockatoos got yesterday, making head-
dresses. They take the feather, strip it down, throw the quill away,
fasten all the stripped feathers neatly together, dry in sun, then bind
round their combs. One youth is preparing a head-covering from the bark
of the mulberry: he is making native cloth by chewing the bark, and no
wonder he complains of his jaws being sore, for it is a long job. I gave
the children presents of beads this morning, and some of the old
gentlemen objected, saying they ought to have had them; but I did not
understand them. It is very convenient at times not to understand what
is said--it is thoroughly native. We have been asking them if they will
receive teachers, and they all say yes, and at once, for it means
tomahawks, knives, and salt. They say, "To-morrow we'll all go and get
the two teachers at Munikahila and bring them here now." We here are in
excellent health and spirits; a little disappointed at not being able to
cross. Certainly we have not lived on the best, and we have camped
anywhere. I like these mountaineers--free, independent, and kind. When
they cook taro, if near, we get a hot taro to eat, and often they bring
hot taro to the house. They bring their presents of taro and sugar-cane
and at