The _Ellengowan_ arrived on January 20th. The natives were beginning to think no vessel would come; but when it arrived, they were frightened, and willing to forget the _Mayri_ affair. A few days before she arrived some of our friends warned us against going too far away from the house. After her arrival we were able to go about among the people again. CHAPTER II. A FEW TRIP INCIDENTS. Start eastwards from Heath Island--Naroopoo--Trading with Natives--Landing at Roux Island--Interview with the Chief--The Man with the club--Effect of a gunshot on the natives--Ellengowan Bay--Narrow Escape--The steam- whistle useful--Attempt to go inland unsuccessful--Amazons--Women chief instigators of quarrels--Toulon Island--The real "Amazons' Land"--How the report arose--Cloudy Bay--Interview with the Chief--Sandbank Bay--A hurried time--Dufaure Island--Attack on Mr. Chalmers by Aroma natives--Defended by some of the natives--Attack due to evil conduct of white men--Intentions of the natives--Heathen customs--Pigs--Planting--Trading--Sickness. The _Ellengowan_ had been thoroughly refitted at Sydney; and in the spring of 1878, accompanied by my wife, I embarked on a cruise from east to west along the south coast of New Guinea. The little steamer was commanded by Captain Dudfield, and manned by an efficient native crew. Communication was held with some two hundred villages, one hundred and five were personally visited, and ninety for the first time by a white man. Several bays, harbours, rivers, and islands were discovered and named; the country between Meikle and Orangerie Bays, together with that lying at the back of Kerepunu was explored, and the entire coast line from Keppel Point to McFarlane Harbour, traversed on foot. In travelling through a new country, it is impossible not to have many experiences that may interest those at home, although to the traveller they may seem of little moment. In May, 1878, I began my journeys on New Guinea, in parts hereto unknown, and amongst tribes supposed to be hostile. I resolved, come what might, to travel unarmed, trusting to Him in whose work I was engaged, and feeling that no harm could come to me while in His care.