We But Some Native Drums, 107 
streams formed most convenient highways. We had to await our lot 
calmly becaiise, however much we had longed to see oiu- boat return from 
Georgetown not only witJi provisions but also \\ ith instructions for the 
g-arrison of Fort New Guinea, our wishes up to no^\' had remained unful- 
üUed. During this period of uneasiness and uncertainty when every sun- 
rise wakened Hope anew, there arrived a pai ty of Indians who wanted to 
barter us several of their drums (Snmpuraj painted with hieroglyphics. 
The drum itself consisted of a H foot deep hoi izontal section of Mauritia 
flemiosa trnnk tliat allows of its pith being easily removed as soon as it 
has been lying in water for some days* : the cylinder is then covered over 
with monkey or deer skin wliicli is stretched over it jnst like tlint of our 
own drums. As Golnmbus already came across drnms among the natives, 
it appears to be one of those instruments of which each nation is its own 
discoverer. 
264. The sting of the chnlT with which our fj-iends from tlie Fort had 
almost daily overwhelmed us ever since that unfortunate turtle dinner, 
had been just as little blunted in the course of time as was our firm deter- 
mination to be revengerl. No opportunity liad liitherto offered by which, 
through any manner of means, we could get satisfaction, but now one 
presented itself. The rumours of war, so many times renewed had 
naturally increased the heroism of the sons of Albion, and, whenever we 
met, convei-sation turned mostly on the gathering of the laurels witli 
which each one already imagined seeing himself crowned. 
265. Hardly had Tiedge spotted the drums than he seized one — an 
instrument of which he was exceedingly fond, for he had completed his 
military service as drummer — and beat a most artistic tattoo, in which 
he was exqnisitely accompanied l)y Stöckle who had also been passion- 
ately devoted to this form of mnsic in his native country. On the 
» supposition that the officers would not suspect that Indians possessed 
drums just as well as Europeans, for these things were not indigenous 
to Pirara, and that they were igiaorant of the skill displayed by the two 
Swabians, our plan of revenge was immediately set on foot. Chance 
had it that our hunters brought in a deer on the following morning, and 
the signal "Invitation to supper and a game of whist'' fluttered gaily 
from the flag mast. Chaffing and j«>king over the delightful message, 
along came our friends, whom the excellent roast, prepared by Adams, 
only served to make even mere chirpy. The latter is removed, the 
ingredients, brought by the officers, ready mixed for punch, are steaming 
in a big dish upon our table, and the glasses are already filled, when 
there falls upon the revelry a sound ihat as quick as thought slings the 
steaming glass from the lips, changes the laughing countenance into 
one of the deepest concern, and' strains the listening ear to the utmost. 
Hush, isn't that drums beating? Yes. The notes, single up to now, 
next join to form a gradual increasingly distinct war-march — everybody 
listens l>reathlessly. With arms raised the gentlemen stand round the 
tabl(\ while the duties they had neglected, as in a nightmare, rob them 
* The Warraus who prohabl}- know more about the working of this timber than any other 
Indians, assure me that this must be a mistake : that the composition of the trunk would 
ueveriallow of its being'^treated in this manner to form "a drum, 
