LEARNING TO NAVIGATE 79 



which was in an open grass clearing. The attack did 

 not come off, but it was quite clear from the marks 

 that we found in the scrub afterwards that the inhabi- 

 tants in the Bush above had collected for an attack, 

 and had probably postponed it when they saw that 

 we were ready and would not be taken by surprise. 



I stayed six weeks at Goodenough Island, doing a 

 certain amount of collecting. But the natives were 

 never really friendly, and finally, hearing that I was 

 in danger, a Government patrol boat came out and 

 took all of us back to Samarai. It was the only 

 occasion on which I had to be " rescued," and even 

 then the need of rescue was not very apparent to me. 

 From Samarai I sent my collection of birds and 

 insects away and caught a trading schooner to Wood- 

 lark Island, taking my whaleboat aboard the vessel. 

 I made one steady resolve on this voyage, and that 

 was not to be such a fool again as to attempt a sea 

 voyage without any knowledge of navigation. 



At this time, because I suppose of the long-continued 

 hostility of the natives and the poor state of my 

 health, I was inclined to take rather a gloomy view 

 of the climate and its perils. My " health " notes in 

 December 1896 recorded 



6 The blood in this country seems to go wrong very 

 quickly. If things continue at the same rate as these 

 last two days I shall be unable to walk in a few days, 

 on account of big sores and swollen ankles. I can 

 press my thumb into the ankle and leave an impression 



