THE SOLOMONS AGAIN 185 



half-way around an island and then noticed a tiny 

 break in the line of the reef indicated by a lane of 

 unbroken water. It was not more than eighteen feet 

 in width, this opening, and it gave entrance to a little 

 cove which barely gave us room to swing around. 

 But, small as was the haven, we were profoundly 

 thankful for it, and we rode out the storm there in 

 safety. 



In this little retreat I stopped two days waiting for 

 the wind to moderate. When at last I ventured out 

 the wind was still strong, so strong that I noticed a 

 swallow trying to fly against it and giving up the 

 attempt finally, and then coming down the wind and 

 striking the rigging of my boat, where it was killed. 



Landing at a German Mission Station on the south 

 side of the island, I rented a native house, or dubu, 

 where the villagers kept their ceremonious drums. 

 It was a kind of concert hall. The drums were stored 

 in this house, and when a dance or other festivity was 

 contemplated the natives assembled there. I found 

 the natives of this quarter very kind and hospitable. 

 Fortunately so for me, for I encountered here a very 

 serious sickness. It was not the fever alone. The 

 fever I had come to expect as part of the ordinary 

 routine of island life. But in addition to the fever I 

 had a very serious abscess on my left shoulder. It was 

 due, I think, to the harsh living, and the poor food 

 that was forced upon me by the character of my 

 expeditions. I was laid up for a while and could not 



