Evening star., 1926-11-28
Murder Plot and Deadly Hate of Sorcerer Make Journey
y-Christening Big Canoe - Say

stupor. the Maipa folks slipped away.
The readiness with which the men
agreed to return with us was sus-
picious.
Our approach was seen long before
we got to Kepolipoli, where the feast
had been held. Naturally, the Kepoli-
poll folk thought so large body was
an avenging party from Maipi, and we
walked into a neat ambush. The re-
ception committee consisted OF not
only the Kepolipoli warriors. but all
Of their friends from nearby hamlets.
We had descended small ravine
and were following a well defined trail
along it when the trap was sprung.
One moment were were alone in the
Jungle. The next, the banks on each
side Of us were covered with armed
blacks. Fortunately for us they did
not attack without warning. or our
situation would have been hopeless
Probably the sight Of white men
stayed their hands.
EOR what seemed ages, but IN re-
= ality was only a few seconds, the
savages held counsel among them
selves. shudder to think of the
shambles that ravine would have be-
come had the decision gone against us.
Suddenly from the throng q tall
man darted forward. He was long of
limb, powerful of body. His hair hung
in plaits from his head. and was shot
through and through with the feath-
ers which are the insignia OF a man
who has killed another human being.
He was naked except for q soft
bark loin covering, and his hands
were empty. lie bounded across the
space between us and clasped Hum
phries i'll his arms, murmuring de-
lightedly in his ear. Somewhere be-
fore they had met. and the embrace
was the token Of friendship.
and Kivori had been showing signs
Of discomfort for several days before
we reached Kepolipoli. Their agree
ment, made at Kairuku, had called
for their services for "one moon"--a
month.
They knew that The penalty for re-
fusal to carry on for desertion once
we were underway was several
months in Jail. But even this, in
their eyes, was preferable to the
terror which the mountains inspired
in them.
The threatened hostile reception at
the hands Of the people Of lIepolipoli
was the finishing touch. particularly
as II was followed that afternoon by a
terrific thunderstorm and display of
Jagged lightning not particularly
soothing to the nerves
The carriers were panic c-stricken and
would not be soothed. As soon as we
had pitched our flies in the village
they sent two of their number to in
form us they would not go with us,
that the danger was too great, and
they We're going home.
Nearby stood a Maipa man, one of
the few from his village who under.
stood the Motuan tongue, in which
Humphries and the carrier had
spoken. There was a smile on his lips
when the carrier announced the de.
termination of his fellows to return
When the conference had ended
this Maipa man moved away with
elaborate carelessness. He joined the
throng of mountain warriors, and II
was noticed that he talked earnestly
with the village chiefs. Then they in
turn gave orders Of some kind to their
warriors. It was to be seen that all
of them were excited.
Late that night I got up and went
outside. Kiai. a big rawboned recruit
in the armed constabulary. was doing
sentry.gO nearby. and 1 asked him if
he had noticed anything.
mo, master" he replied cheerfully.
''The villagers went away outside the
fence"
My watch showed 1t was almost 5
o'clock. SO l reused the cooks and
went back to the fly. The long night
was about over and We We're un.
harmed.
The next instant q policeman dashed
up to the fly.
Master. master" he cried, "the car
riers are leaving.'
When I got to my feet they were
running pell-mell down the slope in
the direction from which we had come
WELL" I asked as Humphries came
up. whats the reason the police let
them escape?"
THE carriers cut the guy-ropes of