204 Mr. C. B. Horsbrugh — Journey to British 



Occasionally we heard Cassowaries, which usually keep 

 away from a track frequented by human beings. This 

 bird^s voice sounds to me like very distant and indistinct 

 thunder. At this seasou rain is of daily occurrence, and 

 innumerable streamlets crossing the track made it rough 

 and slippery, but the porters took great care of our belong- 

 ings and we found nothing damaged when we reached 

 camp. Of how many miles that first day's march consisted 

 I cannot state, but we both had more than enough of it 

 and were pleased when we came to Epa. Here we invaded 

 the mission-house and stored our personal luggage inside, 

 while the natives made themselves at home underneath the 

 house and on the wide verandah. Cooking-operations were 

 soon started and everyone finally settled down, not, however, 

 before the day's events and a host of other subjects had been 

 discussed far into the night. Before our start next morning 

 I bought a Frogmouth [Podargus intermedius) for a stick or 

 two of tobacco. I kept the bird alive for a week, and it 

 became fairly tame and readily ate grasshoppers of all sizes ; 

 but I can say nothing of its habits in captivity, as it was a 

 mournrul-looking object, and sat silent and inactive all day 

 in its cage. At this place Stalker deemed it wise to remain 

 until he could get more of our impedimenta brought up from 

 Bioto. We sent back the pony by the policeman, with a 

 few carriers who would not go any further. The rice, 

 which was intended to serve as food for our staff and carriers, 

 had mostly been stored at our first halt, with several other 

 items which might be required when we finished our marches. 

 Stalker and some of our personal attendants were, therefore, 

 left behind whilst I advanced to Eikeiki, which was reached 

 the same afternoon. Where the village lay I had no time 

 to discover, as none of its inhabitants came to meet us. The 

 mission-house there stood on a little hill, from which was 

 obtained a fine view of the mountains densely covered with 

 vegetation. I made use of this dwelling, and while attending 

 to preparations for the evening meal heard some shots in 

 the surrounding jungle, and soon afterwards one of our boys 

 returned with a fine male Paradisea raggiana. This bird 



