Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-22

camp, they found their sleeping nets trans1ixed
by dozens of spears-weap0ns thrown by an
other tribe coming from the land side of the
camp. Evidently, despite the privileged position
of Macrae and Carstairs, his companion, it was
ar unhealthy spot, even for New Guinea. Ar
T1ngements were made, nevertheless for the
boys attached to the expedition 70 make some
trial workings Of the gold which Macrae had
discovered pending the arrival OF the two white
priests" who were to take them up to the
village and introduce" them.
That introduction" did not turn out Satts-
factorily, for, the chief, apparently feeling that
nine white men, and seven Of them with rifles
was q threat to his position, started q treach-
erOus attack. It might have succeeded but at
the most exciting moment he came into oon-
tact with q dead crocodile, shot when trying to
seize the Deg Of enc Of the boys earlier In the
day.
That crocodile was tapu and Immediately the
warriors saw that their CHIEF had encountered
q they fed back to their canoes. ana the CHIEF
had no option but to join them Or be left 70
the mercy Of the white men,.
An unexpected piece Of good luck had broughb
this respite, but they had no time to waste.
Camp was struck, the river crossed. and under
AGacrae's lead they began to ascend the hills
on the other side.
RY nightfan they were among towering noun
- tains clad to their SUBMITS with dense
useless and the men had to climb trees to get
q glimpse Of the stars before they could md
their direction. In the moonlight Macrae led
them on until they entered a deep valley, the
entrance to which was completely shut on by
dense vegetation.
''Now we have arrived" said the pioneer.
Eat and sleep well, for tomorrow you are going
to wake up with gold fever"
They were too tired to ask questions, so after
dining wild pig, cooked In the ashes of the
campfire, they stretched themselves out to
Sleep each man taking an hours turn ON
guard The next morning VIII long be renem-
bered in the history OF the New Guinea gold
fields. The precious metal was everywhere In
that valley, and before night they had panned
out 300 ounces.
Apparently Macrae had found this strike
on his outward journey and had been on his
way back 10 the coast with - much gold Is
his expedition could carry when the Papangts
had attacked them The only ny In the ONT
ment was the probability that the PapangiB
would track them down and attack. As they
totled on, pfling up the golden sand which
meant wealth if ever they reached civilization
with it, the thought of that fight Of poisoned
arrows which might at any minute come from
the trees around was greatly trying to their
nerves. BY the end Of the week they had
secured nearly 1000 ounces Of gold and the
very task of obtaining more amid this abun-
dance was becoming monotonous. More could
not be carried and they decided TO go down
to the coast and return with larger expedi-
tion-a party strong enough to ward on attack.
For defense they had piled up Q wall of dry
scrub round their camp and laid charges Of
gelgnite Ia holes underneath II the scrub
were lighted the gelignite could be relied upon
to give flrst-class imitation Of artillery in
action. Moreover two men now were keeping
guard during the night, for Macrae considered
attack almost certain He was q true prophet
On what they had intended to make their last
night in that gold field the silence was broken
without warning by blood-curdling yells and .
AfaHRt Nf 1fY1gY into he
barrier around the camp. The cracking of tho