Monckton was much puzzled that no attack had been made on us
during the return journey, as he felt sure they were not afraid of us,
and after we had killed so many of their people he was certain they
would try for revenge. He also thought they expected us to camp that
night in their country, and that we were only out hunting for them,
as we did not hurry away very fast, but stopped a short time in
each village.
We found the tide high, so we took off our boots and waded most of
the way, and in time arrived at a creek up which the sea was rushing
in and out with great violence. We were helped over by police on each
side of us, who half dragged us across, otherwise we should have been
washed off our legs, so great was the suction. I was very fond of
these strong, plucky, good tempered and amusing Papuan police. Often
when we were encamped for the night, I would hear them chaffing each
other in pidgin English for the benefit of the "taubadas" (masters);
they would slyly turn their heads to see if we were amused, and how
delighted they were if they saw us smile at their quaint English,
In the evening we found ourselves back in the Notu villages, and were
met by many Notus bearing coconuts, which they opened and handed to
us. I suppose these were meant as refreshment for the victors, for as
such they no doubt regarded us, as well as saviours of their tribe. I
could quite imagine the Notu warriors bragging on their return of
their own deeds of valour, although all the killing was done by the
police. Meanwhile, however, as we passed through the squatting crowds,
we were greeted with loud cries of "orakaiba" (peace).
CHAPTER 9
On the War-Trail Once More.
Further Expedition Planned - Thank-offerings of Notu Chiefs -
The Voyage - A Gigantic Flatfish - Negotiating a Difficult Bar
- Moat Unhealthy Spot in New Guinea - Hostility of Natives -
Precautions at Night - Catching Ground Sharks and a "Groper" -
Shark-flesh a Delicacy to the Natives - Wakened by a War Cry - A
False Alarm - A Hairbreadth Escape - Between "Devil and Deep Sea"
- Dangers of the Goldfield - Two Miners Eaten Alive - Unexpected
Visit from a White Man - "Where's that Razor?" - Crime of Cutting
Down a Coconut Tree - Walsh's Camp - Torres Straits Pigeons - My
Boy an ex-Cannibal - A Probable Trap - Relapse into Cannibalism
of our Own Allies - Narrow Escape from a New Guinea Mantrap -
Attack on a Village - Second Visit to Dobodura - Toku's Exploit -
Interview with our Prisoners - Reasons for Cannibalism - The Night
Attack on our Camp and Enemies' Fear of our Rifles described by our
Prisoners - Bravery of one of our Carriers - Treatment of a Prisoner.
"Yes," said Monckton on our return to the coast, "we have got to
punish those Doboduras at all costs.
