Rambles Ashore. 79 
For some days the “ Dayspring ” lay in harbour, landing the 
goods of Mr. Murray, the missionary who was to occupy the 
station of Dr. Geddie, and this gave me a good opportunity 
of exploring the regions “round about the harbour, while 
the request of Dr. Mueller, the Government botanist of 
Victoria, that I would collect for him some botanical speci- 
mens, supplied me with a definite end in view during these 
rambles, and engaged me also in a work which I found in- 
creasingly interesting as my collection grew in size. 
The second morning after our arrival I went ashore to com- 
mence my peregrinations; but before doing so, picked up 
a native to act as guide and general servant. He was squatting 
under a palm-tree, busily engaged in the ordinary native occu- 
pation of doing nothing ; so I made proposals to him (couched 
in the orthodox hashed English) to come with me. He under- 
stood me, agreed to my terms, took my coat and bag, and fol- 
lowed me. A native will never think of going before or along- 
side a European, unless specially directed to do so; naturally 
he will fall behind as a mark of respect. 
Naublo—for that was the name of my man Friday—was not, 
T afterwards found out, an Aneityumese, but an Eramangan ; 
and a very ugly Eramangan he was too. A large head and 
mouth, woolly hair, square jaws, rather a squat body, and a 
very dark skin, were the outward characteristics of my humble 
follower ; but his disposition quite made amends for his some- 
what uncomely appearance, as he was extremely good-natured, 
willing and trustworthy, and, in addition, possessed the usual 
savage virtues of being easily pleased and innocently happy. 
During the first excursion, which was along the beach, I 
found much to interest me, in the new forms under which 
animal and vegetable life appeared. One curious-looking tree, 
about twenty feet high, growing along the beach just on the 
