DISAPPOINTMENTS 
extend a considerable distance from the coast. They 
are known to have co-terminous boundaries with the 
Kewi people, from whom the British draw their police, 
and who are first found at the mouth of the Fly 
River. 
The first to visit the Tugeri was a renegade 
missionary, who had absconded with some of the 
mission funds. He came upon the tribe by accident. 
They captured him, took away his boat, his clothes, 
and all that he possessed. Curiously enough they 
did not kill him, but gave him a house and food. He 
stayed with them on very friendly terms for about six 
months, and was at length taken off by a schooner 
which chanced to touch on the coast. 
The second white man who observed them was 
Captain Pym, who is said to have been the discoverer 
of the Merauke River, and who was certainly one of 
the first traders there. 
The Tugeri are a fine race, very fierce, and abso- 
lutely unspoiled by European vices. The men stand 
about 5 feet 8 inches on an average, and are clean- 
limbed, powerful fellows, capable of any amount of 
endurance. As a race, they are broad-shouldered, 
sinewy, and of enormous strength. No European can 
draw their bow. This weapon is made of a longi- 
tudinal section of the bamboo. Near the grip the 
diameter is about 34 inches, and the wood tapers at 
each end to a diameter of 2-inch. The string is of 
twisted fibre, and the arrow, which is made of a reed, 
carries to a distance of at least 300 yards. Like all 
savages, they are admirable marksmen. 
In the typical Merauke Tugeri the head is rather 
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