The herald., 1895-07-28
Mr.. hhRRIsON'S CANOE

Q instantly tie case. Peni handed the
i.aavy packages to the other men and the
light bundles to 10. He himself carried
the camera throwing the strap across his
shoulder, allowing the neat looking black
leather box to hang jauntily on one side.
This he considered an ornament and was
proud of his burden. But when we came
10 point of danger, when rap DIS in the
river ware reached or deep. treacherous
brooks mad to be crossed. then Peni threw
off his mask OF elegance. while 10 con-
tinued shiftlass and almost worthless to
TIE last. 10 was stupidity good natured.
hut Peni WAS quick. bright and apt.
"boys" Jo had only learned to say yes,
no and no good. Peni. .on the other hand.
had mastered quite good deal OF Eng
lsh. and was charminsly conceitea be.
cause of his new accomplishment.
Peni and 10 mad been chosen by the
chief at Naria to accompany me on the
expedition through the Colo regions.
1t was memorable scene the evening
that we (the tradars and u called for the
second time at the house Of the Bull to
engage the services of men to act as my
guides and, servants. 1t was 8 o clock,
and the night was shrouded in inky
bIackness. Inside the hut lantern hang
ing down from the roof cast a faint glirn
mer throughout the large room. In the
dim light the outlines of naked figures
could be seen in the remote corners. The
Bull himself was squatted on hand
Bome mat in the center. When we en-
tered we were asked to be Gated alongside
OF him. To one like myself, ,unaccustomed
to such a spectacle, the whole thing
seemed impressively savage. While the
trip desired to make was carefully ex-
planned in detail. everyone listened with
fixed and earnest attention. AT the end
al! began talking at the same time, rails
thair VOicQS fO high pitch. ire
quently making gestures that looked
angry and threatening. But such was
not the case. This is simply the Fijian
style OF carrying OH a debate.
From the constant repetition OF names
OF different places rightly surmised that
an argument was being INDUCED in rs
to the safest and best manner in which
the journey could be accomplished. The
conversation lasted for nearly an hour,
and apparently no headway was being
made. 1t is useless to attempt to hurry
these natives. SO the trader. who under
stood the characteristic, allowed them
full sway, merely answering such ques-
tions Us were constantly put to him.
Finally the Bull spoke. Absolute silence
prevailed imm ediately, and continued
until he had finished. Then panoemon-
ium broke loose again: The much more
important question of terms had not, as
yet. been touched upon. This all-absorb.
Ing matter could not be decided until
yagouna (yanjoha) had been prewed and
the cup had passed from mouth to mouth.
At midnight, and not until then. was it
agreed thai should take two men, pay
them each 13 shillings for the entire trip,
while the owner was to receive shil-
lings for the use of his canoe. From the
smile OF satisfaction that passed around l
could see that the bargain was consid-
cred most advantageous. but to me it ap-
pealed ridicuIousIy cheap.
Our preparations were soon made. The
storekeeper had filled large sack with
proviiions. consisting of timed yeats.
water biscuit and tobacco, all of whicn
rs matter of course I paid for quite
handsomely. l did not want the stuff.
having determined to ADAPT myself to
native ustoms and mode Of life while
With them, but l felt delicacy in OBJ