CHAP. XXXIV.] HUMBOLDT BAT. 323 



it should have been fine and dry. We had scarcely any- 

 thing to eat, and were all of us ill. Fevers, colds, and 

 dysentery were continually attacking us, and made me long 

 to get away from New Guinea, as much as ever I had 

 longed to come there. The captain of the Etna paid me 

 a visit, and gave rae a very interesting account of his trip. 

 They had stayed at Humboldt Bay several days, and found 

 it a much more beautiful and more interesting place than 

 Dorey, as well as a better harbour. Tlie natives were 

 quite unsophisticated, being rarely visited except by stray 

 whalers, and they were superior to the Dorey people, 

 morally and physically. They went quite naked. Their 

 houses were some in the water and some inland, and were 

 all neatly and well built ; their fields were well cultivated, 

 and the paths to them kept clear and open, in which 

 respects Dorey is abominable. They were shy at firs|, 

 and opposed the boats with hostile demonstrations, bend- 

 ing their bows, and intimating that they would shoot if 

 an attempt was made to land. Very judiciously the 

 captain gave way, but threw on shore a few presents, and 

 after two or three trials they were permitted to land, and 

 to go about and see the country, and were supplied with 

 fruits and vegetables. All communication was carried on 

 with them by signs — the Dorey interpreter, who accom- 

 panied the steamer, being unable to understand a word of 

 their language. No new birds or animals were obtained, 



Y 2 



