heir houses, others lying
exposed to the sun. I asked them if they had no _vatavata_ (spirits)
knocking around in their district, and did they not much trouble them.
"Oh, trouble us much, very much." I told them I thought so, and the
sooner they removed from that place the better--that they were right in
the centre of sickness and death. They said, "And what is to become of
the place of our forefathers, and the cocoanuts they planted?" "Better
leave them, or in a short time there will be none left to remember their
forefathers, or eat their cocoanuts." Madu was in the country, and we
waited his return. He tried hard to get me to stay over-night, but it
was of no use. He presented me with a pig and feathers, and we concluded
friendship by my giving a return present. An old woman was presented to
me, a great sorceress; but, not liking the sisterhood, I did not see my
way clear to give her a present. Such as she keep the natives in
constant fear, do what they like, and get what they like. It is affirmed
by all that the great Lolo sorcerer, Arua, keeps snakes in bamboos, and
uses them for his nefarious purposes. Late in the afternoon we left,
accompanied by Madu and a number of youths carrying pig, cocoanuts, and
sugar-cane. When leaving, the chief said, "Go, Tamate; we are friends."

On June 14th, I had a long conference with the old Paitana chief, Boutu,
and his followers. They looked very much excited and alarmed when I met
them, but that wore away during our conversation. Boutu, his party, and
other Lolo natives assured me that the attack on Dr. James and Mr.
Thorngren was unknown to all but those in the canoe. The excuse was that
the day before they were trading on Yule Island one young man had
feathers for sale. Dr. James and Waunaea told him to leave; they would
not take his feathers because he objected to the pearl shell produced.
This, they say, was the beginning. He tried very hard to sell his
feathers, and, if possible, get a tomahawk. Failing, he went home,
quietly arranged a party, slept in the bush, and before daylight went off
to the vessel. On nearing the vessel, Dr. James called out--"You must
not come alongside: you are coming to kill me." They said, "We are not
going to kill you, but want to sell yams." The yams were taken on board,
and whilst Dr. James was counting the beads to pay for them he was struck
with a club, and afterwards speared, but not quite disabled, as he drew
his revol