MACLUER BAY. 
123 
feet that with my boots I could obtain no hold. 
However, with a push from those in the boat, 
and a pull from II. above, I sprang up, and stood 
in a New Guinean village, their first white female 
visitor. 
We were met by the chief, a middle-aged man, 
of anything but regal appearance, who wore for 
the occasion a faded silk sarong and some rude 
jewellery — -doubtless come by through the Arabs, 
who stood by watching the despatch of the nut- 
megs, to collect which the} 7 had passed months 
in this rude savage life. 
Greetings and salaams over, the Rajah's wife 
ran forward, and, a fold of her garment over 
each hand, took mine between, and dragged me, 
still running, into her dwelling. Here others 
joined us, and in similar fashion took my hand 
between their covered hands, which they then 
drew slowly over their faces, meanwhile bowing 
low. For a moment I was afraid, they pressed 
so close and were so excited ; hut I could soon 
see that they meant only kindness. I took 
time to look round their dwelling, in which there 
was no attempt at furniture. A few rude ves- 
sels lay on the floor ; and some ashes in a corner 
showed that they made fire, and were thus far 
above the brute creation. 
