Massacre by Papuans. 379 



It seems that the village where the attack took place 

 (nearly opposite the small island of Lakahia) is known to be 

 dangerous, and the vessels had only gone there a few days be- 

 fore to buy some tripang. The crew were living on shore, 

 the praus being in a small river close by, and they were at- 

 tacked and murdered in the daytime while bargaining with 

 the Papuans. The six men who survived were on board the 

 praus, and escaped by at once getting into the small boat and 

 rowing out to sea. 



This south-west part of New Guinea, known to the native 

 traders as " Papua Kowiyee " and " Papua Onen," is inhabited 

 by the most treacherous and bloodthirsty tribes. It is in 

 these districts that the commanders and portions of the crews 

 of many of the early discovery ships were murdered, and 

 scarcely a year now passes but some lives are lost. The Go- 

 ram and Ceram traders are themselves generally inoffensive ; 

 they are well acquainted with the character of these natives, 

 and are not likely to provoke an attack by any insults or open 

 attempt at robbery or imposition. They are accustomed to 

 visit the same places every year, and the natives can have no 

 fear of them, as may be alleged in excuse for their attacks on 

 Europeans. In other extensive districts inhabited by the 

 same Papuan races, such as Mysol, Salwatty, Waigiou, and 

 some parts of the adjacent coast, the people have taken the 

 first step in civilization, owing probably to the settlement of 

 traders of mixed breed among them, and for many years no 

 such attacks have taken place. On the south-west coast, and 

 in the large island of Jobie, however, the natives are in a very 

 barbarous condition, and take every opportunity of robbery 

 and murder — a habit which is confirmed by the impunity they 

 experience, owing to the vast extent of wUd mountain and 

 forest country forbidding all pursuit or attempt at punishment. 

 In the very same village, four years before, more than fifty Goram 

 men were murdered ; and as these savages obtain an immense 

 booty in the. praus and all their appurtenances, it is to be fear- 

 ed that such attacks will continue to be made at intervals as 

 long as traders visit the same spots and attempt no retaliation. 

 Punishment could only be inflicted on these peojDle by very 

 arbitrary measures, such as by obtaining possession of some 

 of the chiefs ♦by stratagem, and rendering them responsible 



