CHAPTER X. 



LANDING AT ERROOB EXCITEMENT AMONG THE NATIVES — 



VISIT SEEWAI, AND BRING HIM ON BOARD — PROMISES 



TO ACCOMPANY US, BUT DISSUADED BY HIS FAMILY 



DRYING A DEAD CHILD — SEEWAI AND MAMMOOS AT 



WAR SKIRMISH AMONG THE NATIVES — SOME PLACES 



SAID TO BE " GALLA" (TABOOED ?) — MAMMOOS PROMISES 

 TO ACCOMPANY US, BUT BACKS OUT — APPARENT DREAD 



OF NEW GUINEA WE RESOLVE TO RETURN AND LIGHTEN 



THE PRINCE GEORGE, IN ORDER TO TAKE HER INTO 

 THE RIVERS. 



May 24.— On anchoring, we observed a number 

 of green boughs stuck upon the point to the west of 

 us, and several poles newly erected on the beach 

 at Beeka, the plantation there being all freshly 

 fenced in with stout bamboo palings. A canoe 

 came round from the east point, but approached 

 us in a very guarded and cautious manner, and 

 shortly retreated to a party of women, whom we 

 saw ashore near the end of the pathway that leads 

 across the island. Shortly after the canoe again 

 approached us, and met our cutter that was going 

 ashore with a party of officers, in a friendly manner, 

 but were very earnest in persuading them not to 

 land at Beeka, but to go to Keriam. When the 

 natives came on board they were as friendly as 

 usual, and began bartering their curiosities as 



