m, they
shouted on to the next village. An old man lay outside on the platform
of the next house we came to; he looked terribly frightened as we
approached him, but as, instead of injuring him, we gave him a present,
he soon rallied, and got us water to drink. By-and-by a few gathered
round. We understood them to say the most of the people were away on the
plains hunting for wallabies. One young woman had a net over her
shoulders and covering her breasts, as a token of mourning--an
improvement on their ordinary attire, which is simply a short grass
petticoat--the men _nil_.

After a short stay, we returned to where we thought of camping for the
night, but for want of water we went on to the village we had visited in
the forenoon. We slung our hammocks in the reception room, had supper,
and turned in for the night. It felt bleak and cold, and the narrowness
of the ridge made us careful, even in our sleep, lest we should fall out
and over. On coming across the highest peak in the afternoon, we had a
magnificent view of Mount Owen Stanley, with his two peaks rising far
away above the other mountains by which he is surrounded. It must have
been about thirty miles off, and, I should think, impossible to reach
from where we were. We were entirely surrounded by mountains: mountains
north, east, south, and west--above us and below us. I question if it
will ever be a country worth settling in.

We were anxious to spend the Sabbath at Port Moresby, so, leaving the
most of our party, who were too tired to come with us, to rest till
Monday, Mr. McFarlane, Ruatoka, and I set off on our return very early on
Saturday morning, and had strangely difficult work in getting down the
mountain side and along the river. Fireflies danced all round in
hundreds, and we awakened many strange birds before their time, which
gave forth a note or two, only to sleep again. Before daylight, we were
at Mr. Goldie's camp, where we had breakfast, and hurried on for the
river. We rested a short time there, and then away over plains to Port
Moresby, which we reached about midday, tired indeed and very footsore.
Oh, that shoemakers had only to wear the boots they send to missionaries!

Early on Sunday morning, a great many natives went out with their spears,
nets, and dogs, to hunt wallabies. A goodly number attended the forenoon
service, when Mr. Lawes preached. A good many strangers were present
from an inland village on the Astrolabe side