WE START FOR SHUGARY 259 



We had concluded by this time, that the country 

 was not very safe, and that as soon as father joined us, 

 we would return to the sea-coast and leave the island 

 on the next boat. At first, we thought of going in- 

 land, to procure tidings of the party ; but on account 

 of a very sore ankle, I was rendered almost helpless for 

 several days. Hence we were obliged to give up this 

 idea, and Shelley wrote a letter to father, telling him 

 about the fight, and urging him to return, as we con- 

 sidered it unsafe to remain any longer. This letter he 

 despatched by a native, telling him if he got it to the 

 party, and returned with an answer, we would give him 

 an axe. Of course we did not expect this man to go 

 all the way with the letter, but knew he could deliver 

 it to other tribes, who would carry it as far as their 

 territory extended, and so on, until it reached its 

 destination. 



After we had waited several days for a letter, being 

 able to learn nothing from the people as to where the 

 party were, and my ankle being somewhat better by this 

 time, we concluded to go on to Shugary, arid find out 

 for ourselves how matters stood. We were obliged to 

 go directly through Boyeruma, the home of the natives 

 who had attacked our village, so the people at Nari- 

 numa tried ; to persuade us not to go at all. After they 

 found their persuasions were useless, they sent several 

 of their men with us to direct us round the country of 

 the enemy. We took a good supply of ammunition 



