378 NEW GUINEA. 



canoes on one side of the vessel there were 148 natives, or 

 about an average of three to a canoe. In all, therefore, there 

 must have been 200 natives. 



From time to time the shout which was heard the night 

 before was raised. When heard close by, it is found to com- 

 mence with a short quick " Wah Wah oh oh oh." Some few 

 natives had perforated Conch shells, both a Triton^ and a large 

 conical Strombiis perforated at the apex of the spire, not on the 

 side of one of the upper whorls, as in the case of the Triton. 

 These shells they blew, making a booming sound which mingled 

 with the shouts. 



The natives evidently prize these trumpet-shells highly, and 

 would not part with them, perhaps from the same motives that 

 prevent them parting with their flutes, as described by the 

 officers of the "Etna."* 



Many of the natives made a sign of drinking, and pointed to 

 a part of the Bay where water was to be procured, evidently 

 thinking that the ship required water. This shows that they 

 are more or less accustomed to ships watering here, and the 

 fact that the utmost endeavours failed to induce any of the 

 natives to come on board the ship, and their extreme caution in 

 their first approach, seemed to show that they must have been 

 frightened or maltreated in some way by recent visitors to the 

 Bay. When the Dutch vessel of war, " Etna," came into the 

 harbour in 1858, the natives clambered on board before the 

 cable was out. 



As soon as the ship anchored again, the natives crowded 

 round, and barter recommenced most briskly, being carried 

 on through the main deck ports, the natives passing up their 

 weapons and ornaments stuck between the points of four- 

 pronged spears, and receiving in return the price in the same 

 manner. 



The constant cry of the natives was " sigor, sigor ! " often re- 

 peated (sigor sig5r, slowly, sigor sigor sigor, quickly). " Sigor " 

 was found to mean iron ; this and " soth," which means more, 

 were the only words of the language gathered. Iron tub-hoop, 

 broken into six or eight-inch lengths, was the commonest article 

 of barter, but most prized were small trade hatchets, for which 

 the natives parted with anything they had. 



The iron, wherewith to replace the stone blades of their own 

 hatchets, and the miserable ready-made trade hatchets, are to 

 them the most valuable property possible, since they lessen the 

 toil of clearing the rough land for cultivation, and of canoe and 

 house building, which with the stone implements alone to work 

 with, must be arduous indeed. 



* " Neu Guinea uud seine Bewohncr,'' Otto Finsch, IS. 144. 



