Missions -- New Guinea; New Guinea -- Description and travel
On January 10, the flag flying on the boat told all that we were to
start. Our leader ran off to Kaili last night, but Huakonio, one of the
three baptised on the 5th, was willing to go. Our boat's crew were
considered fools, rushing into the arms of death. Wives, children, and
friends were gathered round weeping. The men said, "Cannot you see that
if Tamate lives we shall live, and if he is murdered we shall be
murdered? It is all right; we are going with him, and you will see us
back all right with sago and betel-nuts." Huakonio told me in the boat
that every means imaginable but physical force were used to prevent their
accompanying me; and he added, "We know it is all right; the Spirit that
has watched over you in the past" (naming the various journeys) "will do
so now; and if we return safe, won't the people be ashamed?"
We left Port Moresby about nine a.m. with a light head wind; outside
found the current very strong, setting easterly. We arrived at Boera at
four p.m., and found Piri and his wife ready to start at once. Piri has
a Boera crew, and we increased ours here by two. Here the natives did
not seem at all afraid, and many wished to accompany us.
On leaving Boera, it was a beautiful clear and moonlight night, and there
was a light land breeze. Pulling brought us to Varivara Islands, in
Redscar Bay, about two a.m., where we anchored until six when we tried to
make Cape Suckling. As it was blowing hard from the north-west, we had
to put into Manumanu. The Motu traders did all they could to persuade us
to give up Motumotu, and to visit Kabadi. Both crews would gladly have
given up; their friends told them to leave us, and return in the trading
canoes. They came to me to say "the bad weather has set in, the winds
and rains are here, we cannot go on."
I replied, "Think, my children, of the disgrace. We started to go to
Motumotu, and at the first breath of contrary wind we put back. It must
not be. Let us try it a little longer, and if the wind increases we can
put back, and not feel ashamed."
"You are right," they rejoined; "we will go on with you."
At sunset we all got into our boats, and were ready for a start. A
fellow who has just returned from Kabadi thought to get over me by
saying, "Tamate, Kabadi are looking daily for you, and they have a large
present ready; feathers in abundance and sago; your two boats cannot take
half."
"I am going to Motumotu, and not all the feathers in Kabadi, nor all the
sago they can prepare, will turn me now, until I have made a fair trial,
and then, if driven back, I will visit Kabadi."
I believe our crew had had a talk with that man before he came to me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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