ALONE WITH CANNIBALS 
in New Guinea. In the village was a large tree, the 
trunk of which reached up about 20 feet bare of 
branches, and then the main stem divided into a 
fork. Among the branches were two platforms. To 
the first there was a very rude ascent, a rough ladder 
consisting of two uprights with rungs placed at an 
angle of at least 65 degrees. Above that was the 
second platform, forming the bottom of the house, 
which was reached by steps, very narrow, but not 
so far apart as the steps of the lower ladder. The 
tree-house is not uncommon in New Guinea, but it is 
very exceptional to find two platforms. The uprights 
and ladders were made of bamboo, and the rungs were 
made of boughs cut anyhow with walo, a species of 
cane which grows to a length of 20 feet, and is used 
for lashings. Each cane is the size of a thick pencil, 
and has a spiky outer cover. This is peeled off when 
the cane is ripe, and it is then split, an operation 
requiring great dexterity, and one which can only 
be performed by the Papuans themselves, for none 
but a native could split a 20-foot cane cleanly down 
its entire length. 
The higher platform which supported the house 
measured about 12 feet by 6 feet; it was made of 
bamboo cross-pieces, interlaced with bark. The roof 
was covered with grass, and the only aperture was one 
small door, over which the thatch came closely down. 
There was just room for a person to crawl in. 
We had considerable difficulty in inducing the 
chief to leave his retreat, but at length he summoned 
up sufficient courage to come out and speak to us. 
At Amana we noticed no conical houses, the dwell- 
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