40 
peopled, for during the progress of the ' Triton ' numbers 
of the natives were seen either running to and fro on the 
beachj making demonstrations with their bamboo tubesj 
or paddling about in canoes : but always keeping at too 
great a distance from the sbip^ or from the boats that 
were sent to meet them, to permit of close intercourse ; 
every attempt to get near them, being followed by imme- 
diate flight on the part of the Papuans, whose curiosity, 
however, prompted them to return towards the vessels 
the moment that pursuit was discontinued. It was not 
until the Expedition approached the Outanata Biver, 
which lies 250 miles to the north-west of Dourga Strait, 
that a closer intercourse was established ; and then the 
natives came alongside the * Triton' with a boldness and 
conHdence that presented a remarkable contrast to the 
timid shyness of their predecessors. But we must 
quote Ml'. Modera*s own description of this interesting 
event : — 
"At break of day on the 9th of June, we saw a num- 
ber of prahus following the schooDcr, each of which 
contained from five to twelve natives, who paddled stand- 
ing,* like those we had seen on the 6th. Lieutenant 
TuUekena went towards them with an armed boat, in 
* The practice of standing up to paddle tbcir canoes is repeatedly 
noticed by Lieutenauts KolfF and Modera, and It seems to be general 
througlioat the coasta of New Guinea. The broi^Ti-coloured natives 
of tlie Arcliipelngo all sit, or " squat," wliile padJUug tUeir canoes, 
ETtceptiag tlie Badju Laut, or Sea Gypsies^ who stand, like the 
Papmus, and give as a reasoa for this proceeding, the superior 
facilities it affords thein of seeing turtle, and of ctiasing them when 
discovered, — G. W, E, 
