LOPE DE VEGA. 49 



channel as shown in our charts to-day. Torres might have 

 wished to visit the high island to windward (Darnley Island) 

 but the wind was certainly contrary and he did not know 

 the set of the tides. 



When we were at Darnley Island in the "Chevert," we 

 tried to find out things about New Guinea, pointing to the 

 N.W. and using the words Papua, Fly River, and New 

 Guinea, which of course the Eroob men did not understand; 

 they used Dow-dai, meaning what was to the N.W., and 

 we took it to be the name of the country. Then you 

 observe the guard of the Hogan curio said, according to 

 my translation, that the skulls around were taken by an 

 ancient Papuan, using the words Dow-dai man. Now we 

 know there is no place called Dow-dai to the N.W., there 

 are Mar-wot-ter, Tu-re-tu-re, Bo-bo. Yar-row (now called 

 Da-ru) Ke-wi etc. If we take Dow-dai to be a well- 

 remembered man's name, we have a most probable story, 

 to wit. De How-di or De Owdi, a shipmate of De Vega, 

 left Darnley Island, travelled in the direction of Manila 

 via Hogar and the Fly River, and never returned. The north 

 coast of New Guinea was previously known in Peru. I 

 have asked Mr. Collingridge if it is possible for him to tell 

 me if there was a De How-di with De Vega. Mr. Colling- 

 ridge has found no such name. 



Here it is proper to mention the intrusion of tobacco 

 smoking among the chewers of chunam, and the not incon- 

 siderable trade in tobacco. Tersely, Ooo-ber-re tobacco is 

 highly esteemed at Han-nu-er-par-ter (Port Moresby). 

 Coo-ber-re bears N.W. from Port Moresby. Oo-ber-re 

 tobacco is well known at Mar-wot-ter. Oo-ber-re bears 

 north from Mar-wot-ter. Tobacco is brought down the 

 Fly River by canoe; I pirated a sackful on the Fly River. 

 Coo-ber-re tobacco is taken to Port Moresby from the 

 head of the Gulf in the lack-er-to-es on their annual trad- 

 ing voyages. 



D— J tine 2. W9 



