THE PEOPLE OF WAAL 
87 
proportion of them. To tend a wound does not 
seem to occur to them ; they walk with it bare, 
and exposed to accidental knocks and scratches 
in the forest, as well as to the irritation of flics 
and ants, and the same sore often remains un- 
healed for years. 
One cannot restrain a little mild indignation 
against the Waai people. Their naturally beauti- 
ful village could be so beautified ; abundance, 
even wealth, is pressed upon them by the lux- 
uriant productiveness of nature ; and yet all 
they care for is to be allowed to vegetate. No 
energy, no aspiration, ever disturbs them. As I 
have said, civilising influences have not really 
raised their moral status ; they have become 
more independent — not, however, for their own 
good. I fancy it is beneficial for such a people 
to be under an autocratic ruler. The Rajah tells 
us his authority is now a mere name. He was 
once called to attend a conference at Amboina. 
The men who rowed him "struck” half-way, 
and turned the boat homewards. They were 
arrested, and sentenced to eight days’ imprison- 
ment, after which they came back with such a 
tale of the good time they had had— feeding 
well without any labour or cost, and playing 
cards all day with pleasant companions — that 
