The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-30

NQGTG mes Il 4dAEe lHlalIQ Ndt4tNr DAA bNN
maps, New Britain; the native name OF
which is Borara 1t is nearly $50 miles IN
length, and, in parts, almost sixty In
width, and, excepting the northeastern
portion now settled by German colonlsts,
is inhabited by a race of dangerous and
treacherous cannibals who are continual
ly at war among themselves, for there are
many hundred tribes living on the coast
as well as in the interior. Although there
have been white people living on the
northeast coast for nearly thirty years
for there were adventurous American
and English traders living In this Wild
island long before the natives ever saw a
German-not one of them knew then or
know now how much OF the strange black
tribes who dwell in The interior of the
center aud western part of the island
save that they were then, as they are in
this present year, always at deadly en-
nifty with the coast tribes, and are, Ike
them, great cannibals
Sixty miles from the western end of the
island is the mountainous land OF German
New Guinea; and sometimes, when the air
IS clear and the southeast trade wind
blows the savages on Berara can see
across the deep, wide strait, the grey loom
of the mighty, towering range that fringes
the northeastern coast of New Guinea for
many hundred miles. once, indeed,
when the writer of this true story lived
In New Britain, he saw this sight for
whole week. for there in those beautiful
islands the air is very clear at certain sea-
sons of the year.
From Matupi, where the principal settle
ment in New Britain is situated TO the
deep bay at Kabaira, fifty miles away,
A. haa Hl na
no one who looks at the lovely. grassy
downs that here and there show through
the groves of waving palm trees stretch
ing from the beach away up TO the rising
land OF the interior could think that such
a fair country was the home OF a deadly
fever, and that in the waters Of the bright
Lmpid streams running gently down from
the fovert-clad hills 20 meet the blue wa
ters of the Pacific, where lurked disease
and death to him who drank thereof.
At the time of my story Except for the
adventurous American whalemen from
Nantucket and Salem, and the sandal
wood cutters from New South Wales, who
sometimes touched there) white men were
unknown to the people Of New Britain.
Sometimes when the sperm whaling fleet
was cruising northwards and westward to
the Moluccas, a ship would sail along the
coast in the daytime, but always anchored
at night, for it was dreaded for the many
dangerous reefs IUdL buiIOQHu IT, Anu
once the anchor was down a strict watch
was kept on board, for the natives were
known to be fierce and treacherous. Be-
tween Matupi, where is now the German
settlement, and the great native town al
Kabaira bay, there is an island called
Mano, which lies five miles off from the
mainland.
Early one morning, when the wild peo-
ple of the villages among the palm-groves
which lined the long winding beach, came
out of their matched huts for their morn
ing battle, they gave a great cry; for
large full-rigged ship was standing In close
under the lee of Mano, and chewing up
her sails before she came to an anchor.
Now the natives who lived on the main
land of New Britain were the hereditary
enemies of those who dwelt on Mano ISL
and and il was hateful for them to see a
ship anchor there, for then the Mano ISL
anders would get axes and muskets and
hoop-iron. So, with Baringa, the chief
at their head, they all ran to the summit
of a high, grassy hill Q1nown by reason Of
a terrible deed once done there in the
olden times as the Hill of Many GrOans),
and sat down to watch If the ship would
send her boats ashore.
''LooBv' said Baringa, fiercely, striking
the ground with his heavy jade-headed
club, look, I see a boat putting out from
the side. Who among we will come with
me to the ship, so that l may sell my tur-
tie shell and pearl shell to the captain for
muskets and powder and bullets. Are
these dogs of Mano to get such thlngA
from the ship, and then come over here
at night and slay and then cook us In
their ovens? Hungry am 1 for revenge; for
tits twelve moons since they stole my son
from me, and not one life have had IN
return for his"
But no one ANSWERED. OF what use was
It, they thought, for Baringa to think OF
his little son? He was but a boy, after
ell, and had long since gone down the
threats of the men of Mano. Besides, the
Mano people were very strong and already
had many guns.
So for an hour Baringa sat and chafed
and watched; and then suddenly he and
those with him sprang up, for a sound
like thunder came over to them and a
cloud OF white smoke curled up from the
ships side; she had fired one of her big
guns. Presently Baringa and his people
saw that the boat which had gone ashore
was pulling back fast, and that some OF
the crew who were sitting in the stern
were firing their muskets at the Mano peo-
pie, who We're pursuing the boat in six
canoes. Twice again the ship fired a big
gun, and then the boat was safe, for the
two A-pounders loaded with grapeshot
smashed two of them to pieces when they
were less than a hundred yards from the
ship.
todAhiSd onOuNGn Win ShNdEG Joy
Come" he cried. 'let us hasten to tie
beach, and get quickly to the ship in our
canoes; for now that the white men have
fought with these Mano dogs, the ship
will come here to us and anchor: for /
Baringa, am known TO many white men,"
The name of the ship was the 'Boadi-
cea She was of about 100 tons, and
was bound to China from Port jackson,
but for four months had remained among
the islands of the New Hebrides group
where the crew had been cutting sandal
wood, which In those days was very plen g.
tiful there. Her captain, who was a very
skillful navigator. instead Of going through
Torres Straits, had sailed between New
Ireland and New Britain, so that he might
learn the truth of some tales he had heard
about the richness of those islands in
sandalwood and pearl shell. SO he had
cruised slowly along till he sighted Mano
Island, and here he decided to water the
ship; for from the deck was visible a fine
stream of water, running from forest
clad mountains down to the white sands
of the quiet beach.