ETHNOGRAPHICAL NOTES OF TOPEES STRAIT.— HAMLYN -HARRIS. 
3 
to the wishes of Patraeter, they removed to a neighbouring sandbank and asked 
if they were far enough away, to which the god replied, “No; go further. 7 7 
This was repeated over and over again until the evil spirits had reached the black 
rocks known as Bramble Cay, in the Great North-East Passage, about 26 miles 
from Darnley, when the god professed himself satisfied. 
Bramble Cay is still visible to-day to passers-by as a rock representing 
a human figure (probably a female) holding an infant in its arms. In reality 
a considerable amount of imagination is required to confirm this. 
Through the kindness of Dr. Tosh we have the following from an Erub 
native, Speah ; this is not so reliable, Speah being from all accounts a much 
younger man with a more vivid imagination : — 
il On Darnley were four of these stone figures — the name of each being 
Patraeter; they seem to have been used as land marks or rather property marks 
in turtle-fishing, and to have possessed the powers of the usual mythical super- 
man. A man named Py dug up or fashioned similar figures in the creek just 
south of his house. This seemed to trouble Patraeter, for lie insisted that they 
be taken away. So Py packed the two figures (or more) on a canoe and set off. 
Some of the earth carried with them fell overboard a little to leeward of Darnley 
and there formed a sandbank — Diaul ; then Py and his people shouted to 
Patraeter, to know if they should leave them there, but the ‘ god 7 answered, 
4 Take im more far. AVe savvy pole, we savvy pole.* Take em more. 7 This 
was repeated (including formation of sandbank) at Meradi, Tot, and Kep. 
“ At last Bramble Cay was reached, and Patraeter was satisfied that they 
be left there. 
tc Two figures are especially named Py-wer and his picaninny Burwak. 
And ever after, when Py and his people went turtle-fishing on Bramble Cay, 
there was much ceremony. First Py went ashore alone and all canoes drew 
back into deep water. Having assured himself by private interview with 
Py-wer that all was well, he signed*)* to his people to come ashore. There they 
fished for some days, and sun-dried much turtle meat, and laid in stock of fresh 
turtles for transport to Darnley. 'When all are ready to depart, Py takes some 
turtle grease and anoints the head of Py-wer, beseeching him to send a favourable 
wind. Py is the last to leave. 77 
SOIIDA AT OOGAR. 
Soiido, after making the islands fertile in the prescribed way, proceeded 
to Stephens Island (“ Oogar 77 ) and repeated his performances there. From 
Oogar he went to New Guinea, where he met a beautiful woman (as he had done 
on the other islands) , who was so struck with his handsome demeanour that she 
fell in love with him straight away and asked him to elope. Soiido, however, 
* That is, “ Pole a canoe.” 
t Made sign, te Plenty turtle here,” by half squatting down and raising the arms. 
