MESSAGE-STICKS 261 



planed, a dilly-bag (basket made of narrow strips of lawyer 

 cane or grass) full of the shavings is immersed in running 

 water for two or three days, the food being then ready for 

 consumption without further preparation. In appearance 

 it resembles coarse tapioca, and it has no particular flavour. 

 To give it zest, some have a shell containing sea-water 

 beside them when they dine, into which each portion of the 

 mess is dipped. As saponin is very soluble in water, by 

 soaking the shredded beans for a few days the blacks 

 resort to an absolutely perfect method of converting a 

 poisonous substance into a valuable and sustaining, if taste- 

 less, food. No doubt, made up into a pudding with eggs, 

 milk, sugar and flavouring, shredded beans would pass 

 without comment as a substitute for tapioca. 



Message-Sticks 



There came to our beach one afternoon some poor 

 exiles from Princess Charlotte Bay — 300 miles to the 

 north. Exiled they felt themselves to be, and were longing 

 to return to their own country, although their engagement 

 for a six months' cruise in quest of the passive b6che-de- 

 mer had but just begun. One boy stepped along with an 

 air of pride and importance. His companions were defer- 

 ential to a certain extent, but they, too, exhibited an unusual 

 demeanour. Some of the glory and honour that shone in 

 Mattie's face was reflected in theirs. With the assur- 

 ance of an ambassador bearing high credentials he 

 saluted me — 



" Hello, Mister ! Good day." 



"Good day," I responded. "You come from that 

 cutter ? " 



Mattie — "Yes, mister. Mickie sit down here, now? 

 Me got 'em letter. Brother belonga gin, belonga Mickie ; 

 him gib it ! " 



" No ; Mickie sit down alonga Palm Islands. Come 

 back, bi'-mby." 



