Jan., 1907.] THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 161 



There were wooded ridges everywhere, which were studded with 

 cleared spaces where there were gardens and native huts. 



The next day, 8th November, we rested in camp to arrange 

 our trip over the Owen Stanley Range, the gap in the range being 

 close by. Geve, the most influential of the Kage chiefs, is a fine- 

 looking man, with a pleasant voice and manner. Not being 

 able to speak the language, I endeavoured to propitiate him with 

 anchovy paste and tinned fruits, also promising to send him the 

 old hat I was wearing when I returned to port. Geve's son 

 agreed to act as guide to Kokoda. As the track had the reputa- 

 tation of being very rough, and not very safe without police, we 

 determined to travel light and get through as quickly as possible. 

 We left almost everything behind in charge of Geve and ten of 

 our boys. We started the next day, 9th November, with ten of 

 our boys, three local carriers, and Geve's son, having with us a 

 rifle, a shot gun, and revolver. We intended trying to reach 

 Kokoda station in two days. At first we gradually ascended a 

 ridge, on the slopes of which and on other slopes were natives' 

 huts and gardens containing maize, sugar-cane, and bananas. On 

 getting to the summit the walking was easy for a time, there 

 being little undergrowth and the track being soft to the feet and 

 the air cool. On approaching the luroa River, which flows 

 through this part of the range, we descended sharply through 

 groves of bamboos, the cut ends of which, sticking up on the 

 track, we had to be careful to avoid, as they cut like a knife. On 

 crossing the river we climbed a mountain and then came on the 

 river the other side. We were able to cross the greater part of 

 the river here by rocks, there being little water. Where the 

 water was deep and flowing swiftly there was a small bridge, 

 about a foot wide, and composed of thin saplings loosely held 

 together at the ends by loya cane. A false step on this bridge 

 would probably mean a broken leg. As it was too late to get to 

 Isurava village that night, we camped, and reached the village at 9 

 the next morning. On appearing about 200 yards above the 

 village we caused a great commotion. The women screamed 

 and rushed into the scrub, while the men yelled and seized their 

 spears, disappearing down the track which led out of the village. 

 Anthony sent Geve's son forward, who succeeded in bringing back 

 two men, who received presents and had a smoke with us. In 

 the course of an hour we managed to get the others back by 

 trading with them for fruit and vegetables. 



The natives here almost all blacken their faces, with the 

 exception of a line down the centre of the face. Many wear 

 their hair in little, short ringlets. The tail of the Tree-climb- 

 ing Kanga*roo is a favourite article of adornment. A piece 

 of bamboo is placed in the hole in each ear, and through 

 this the end of a tail is thrust, presenting the appearance of 



