BY THE REV. J. GOLDIE. 25 



trees, sago )3alin plantations, canoes, and even the land 

 pass into private hands. To protect his property-, and 

 prevent others who think that they have as good a right 

 to it as he has, a man will trade on the superstitious fears 

 of his fellow villagers, and put a " tambu " upon the 

 property he has claimed. This " tambu " takes several 

 forms. If it is on a piece of land, it is usually a stick split 

 at the top, with the leaves of a certain tree inserted. If 

 it is a particular tree they wish to preserve they tie a piece 

 of the sacred vine round the stem, and a native seeing this 

 will not touch it, for fear of bringing down upon his head 

 the wrath of the spirits. But more about this later on. 



On most of the larger islands there is unceasing hos- 

 tility between the " bushmen " and the " salt water men," 

 as they are called, as well as between the tribes inhabiting 

 the different islands. This will show how little ground 

 there is for fear of anything in the nature of a general 

 rising, as was reported by a trader from the group a few 

 days ago. 



The " bushmen " protect themselves by building 

 their villages on the tops of the hills, and some of their 

 positions are so well chosen, and the places so skilfully 

 fortified, that it would be a difficult task even for a force 

 of well-trained men to take them if properly held. I 

 visited one of these fortified villages two years ago. It 

 was situated at a place called " Kumboro," on the S.E. 

 end of the Island of Choiseul, and at the top of a peak about 

 twelve hundred feet (1,200ft.) above sea level. I was the 

 first white man to visit the place, and it was with con- 

 siderable difficulty that 1 persuaded the chiefs to allow me 

 to go. After climbing — sometimes on all fours — uj) the 

 mountain side, wading through streams, and getting many 

 a tumble — losing the skin of my shins and hands in the 

 process, 1 at last, after a three hours' journey, arrived 

 within hailing distance of the village. It was right above 

 us, and was a great circular enclosure, taking in the whole 

 crown of the hill, and entirely surrounded by great stakes. 

 pointed at the top, about fifteen feet high, and about a 

 foot or more in diameter. These were placed as closely 

 as possible together, and at such an angle that anyone 

 coming up the mountain side would be right underneath 

 the stockade. Inside were walls of rough stone, forming 



