xiii.] RETURN OF THE HUNTERS. 315 



companions were a little nearer. It would have been difficult to 

 resort to the proverbial remedy of writing to the Times, so I 

 waved my hand amicably and opened a conversation in English on 

 the subject of the weather. The scene would have been irresistibly 

 ludicrous to a spectator, but I should probably have enjoyed it more 

 myself had I been a disinterested party, and I was not sorry to see 



KATIVE OF JOBI. 



our boat approaching. The natives saw it too, and quietly dispersed. 

 Most probably the frequent reports of my gun had led them to the 

 conclusion that our party had come into collision with some of their 

 own people, and they were reassured on learning that such was not 

 the case. The unsophisticated Papuan, however, is such an excitable 

 indi\ddual that good temper and caution are all-essential in dealing 

 with him.-^ 



Tahirun and the other hunters returned successful from their 

 expedition at the end of five days. Of the beautiful golden- 



^ The mi-irder of the captain and four of the crew of the trader Koredo at Biak, in 

 July, 1886, has since proved that the natives of this group are by no means entirely 

 to be trusted. 



