STORY OF PHALAENOPSIS SANDERIANA 83 



towards them, splashed through the shallows whooping, 

 dived beneath the wave, and came up at the vessel's side.' 

 Ropes were tossed to them, and they swam back again. But 

 the first yellow head popped up just where Roebelin was 

 seated. Among the feathers twisted in it, draggled now, he 

 saw a spray — surely an Aerides ! but bluish-red, unlike any 

 species known. The savage grinned and shouted, whirling 

 the hair like an aureole around his glistening face, threw one 

 brawny arm into the air, and at a stroke reached the bows. 

 Another shot up; another. The sea was peopled in an 

 instant, all grinning and shouting breathlessly, all whirling 

 their golden locks. Among the flowers with which every 

 head was decked, Roebelin saw many Phalaenopsis. And 

 most of them were ruddy ! 



Sam Choon lay to whilst the islanders swam ashore and 

 formed a chain ; then, at a word, they ran up the beach full 

 speed — making a noise, says Roebelin, which reminded him 

 of the earthquake he had lately felt. Simultaneously the 

 crew paddled their hardest, also yelling in the shrill Chinese 

 way. The prau sped like a flash, but half full of water. 

 Beyond the surf a mob seized and carried it ashore. 



Papuans have no acquaintance with ceremony. Paying 

 little attention to their chiefs, they are not apt to dis- 

 criminate among strangers. All alike seized one of these 

 new friends — who brought trade! — slapped him about the 

 body, and hugged him. Roebelin had been subjected to 

 merciless shampooing occasionally in Indian hammams ; but 

 he never felt the like of that welcome. It was massage by 

 machinery. 



The women had come on the scene now. Though they 

 took no part, they mingled with the warriors, and showed 

 quite as much assurance as is becoming. But they are not 

 by any means such fine creatures as the men, and they do 

 not allow themselves — or they are not allowed — the curious 



