318 NEJF GUINEA. [chap. 



had hoped, but we were pleased to find seven specimens of the 

 Red Bh'd of Paradise in full plumage among the skins. 



Leaving Momos early on the morning of the 16th, we steered 

 south for Samati, a village at the north-east point of Salwatti, and, 

 the eastern limit of the Batanta reef being a matter of uncertainty, 

 took our old course over the shoal close to the latter island. The 

 approaches to Samati are difficult, and but for the instructions we 

 liad obtained from Captain Hakkers we might easily have got into 

 trouble. Shoal water extends for a considerable distance off shore, 

 and the deep draught of the Marchesa obliged us to anchor fully 

 three miles from the village. Presently a large prau with the 

 usual complement of flags and tom-toms announced the arrival 

 of the Eajah — the second of the potentates of the Rajah Ampat. 

 He was accompanied by the son of the Sultan of Tidor, our 

 acquaintance of Xapriboi, who was about to start on his return 

 voyage on the following day. 



The Rajah of Samati was a rather pleasing-looking Malay, or 

 at least would have been so but for the loss of the greater portion 

 of the right side of his nose. He is fond of telling the story of his 

 disfigurement. The Papuans of Saonek in Waigiou had stolen a 

 brass coat -of- arms — the insignia placed by the Dutch on most of 

 the islands claimed by them in this part of the world — and the 

 Rajah visited them in his prau to demand its restitution. It was 

 refused, and the Papuans suddenly attacked them. The Rajah, 

 unarmed and unsupported, for his men were all engaged in 

 defending themselves, had a desperate struggle with a man in 

 attempting to regain the prau. To prevent him using his spear 

 the Rajah caught him by the wrists, and the native, foiled in his 

 attempt, fastened on to his antagonist's nose with his teeth. Both 

 held on for their lives, but the Rajah getting free first — at the 

 expense of the portion of the aforesaid organ — kept the less 

 fortunate Papuan beneath the water till he finished him. 



We took advantage of the Rajah's prau to land, and the tom- 

 toms were beaten more energetically than ever in our honour. 



