WE STRIKE INLAND 
“movement of about a foot. Then, falling backwards 
against the hoop, and pressing his feet against the 
trunk, he is supported for the next spring. ‘This 
operation is repeated with marvellous dexterity and 
rapidity, and with this contrivance the youth makes 
his way to the top. There is no tree in New Guinea 
that a native cannot climb thus. 
In the present instance, my man was not destined 
to have any luck, for the network of roots round the 
tree formed such a wide-spreading dome that he could 
not make his way over to the crown to secure a speci- 
men of the orchid, and the attempt had accordingly 
to be abandoned. 
We pressed on along the rough track, which was 
everywhere beset with precipices and ravines that 
compelled us to take the greatest care. ‘The road was 
fairly practicable, however, for transit, and there were 
no very serious obstructions at this stage of the journey. 
My people were in good spirits, and we plodded on 
as gaily as might be, occasionally stopping and giving 
the men a smoke. JDespite the toils of the road, 
these halts in the forest were perfectly delightful, for 
we had in the improvement of the air a foretaste of 
the pleasant freshness that was to make life in the 
mountains of New Guinea so tolerable and even 
attractive. 
After five hours’ march we arrived at Ekeikei, 
rather: tired and ready for slumber, but here, alas! 
there was no rest for us. ‘The native carriers had 
to lodge, some in our hut, some under it, and their 
method of spending the night was not favourable to 
repose. Their idea is to sleep for half-an-hour, and 
9) 
