TWO LADIES 133 



when she slept for a little while. Then on again until 

 dark. One big "mung-um" (mountain) stood in the 

 hopeful direction. Thitherwards she hastened, losing 

 count of the days and nights. Nell}' has no conception 

 of figures beyond one, two, and a great many. The 

 climbing of the mountain occupied many days. She 

 was bewildered, for she could not " catch 'm that sal'- 

 water" which would lead her home. At last from a 

 spur of the mountain she saw the sea "L-o-n-g way. 

 Too far. Me close up sing out." Though she might 

 cry, the sight of big salt water beside which all her 

 life had been spent was a joy and a stimulant. Push- 

 ing and worming her way through the jungle, she 

 encountered nothing but birds, wallabies, and snakes. 



Once she was startled by what seemed to be a worn 

 narrow track. Advancing cautiously along it, she 

 came across a huge carpet snake coiled "all a same 

 rope alonga boat." It was asleep where an opening 

 in the roof of vegetation made a patch of sunlight on 

 the jungle floor, and she passed by, treading noise- 

 lessly. For food she had the fruits of the jungle, crude, 

 harsh, and bitter. Food, indeed, was almost repug- 

 nant, for her thoughts were concentrated on her country, 

 so she hastened down towards the now hidden sea. 

 Far inland she heard its welcome noise a greeting and 

 a call from home which made her forgetful of all weari- 

 ness and fret. 



In course of time a weak woman carrying a blanket 

 and living on innutritious foods does not struggle 

 through jungle at any remarkable speed the foothills 

 and then the low-lying country at the junction of two 

 rivers were reached. Here she took off her few and 

 bedraggled garments, and, making them into a bundle 

 with her blanket and bag, waded through swamp*, 

 eventually emerging on a sandy beach, which she 



