254 COLLECTOR'S RAMBLES 



a very nice girl, not so good-looking as some of the 

 others, but will make an excellent wife. The price for 

 her is a knife and a looking-glass. What do you say 

 to her?" 



"What about the next?" we asked. 



"This one's name is Bimeua. She is handsome. 

 Her father is- rich, and she has not had to work hard. 

 She is very shapely, and has nice hair and eyes. She 

 can make earthen pots and fish-nets. She has no 

 mother, brothers, or sisters to make trouble between 

 you. Her father, that nice-looking old man there, is 

 the chief man in his village, and has plenty of land. 

 He wants two axes for his daughter; but, if you will 

 live in Rapitora, he will give 'you part of his large 

 house and a good garden." 



" There's a bargain for you," said Shelley. 



" Here is a nice little girl, just right for Shelley : her 

 name is Kioto. She is very affectionate, is kind to her 

 aged mother, and keeps her home very tidy ; she can 

 make brooms, knows how to cook a pig without burn- 

 ing it, and is economical. Her garden has no weeds in 

 it, and she raises the best bananas in Sana Sauagi. She 

 wants to get married, and her mother will let her go 

 for a piece of calico large enough to make a petticoat." 



I glanced at Shelley, and asked, "How does that 

 suit you, old boy ? Who would be a bachelor in New 

 Guinea?" 



I noticed the beautiful' girl I have before spoken of 



