After the worst of the storm had passed, a fierce hurricane came, tearing up the valley which our camp faced. We heard its roaring long before we felt its force. When it came it blew off some of the thatch of one of our buildings. We were to a certain extent protected from its full force by the large trees around us, and at the same time we were saved from the danger of falling trees, because, with a view to the emergencies of such storms, we had taken care to fell all the larger trees for a considerable distance around our camp. The effect of the oncoming wind heard at a distance had another weird parallel in the onset of rain storms, for we heard the rush and patter of a distant shower long before it was actually raining at our camp. At Ekeikei were swarms of wasps that haunted the low bushes, and concealed themselves under the leaves so cunningly that the traveller did not perceive them till he was actually upon them. Their bodies are a dark yellowish brown. At the least disturbance they all rise together in a buzzing cloud and take vengeance. The sting is severe, but the pain fortunately does not last long. It dies out in six or seven minutes, leaving a red lump which gradually subsides. CHAPTER X _UPS AND DOWNS_ My man Sam goes to the Kebea to collect—We go to the Coast again with our Specimens—A Dreadful Night in Bioto Creek—A Crocodile River—A Tempestuous Voyage to Thursday Island—Fever—Return to Port Moresby— Adrift for Three Days in a Heavy Sea—A German Captain’s Thrilling Story of the Storm—We return to Ekeikei—A New Trouble—Epidemic of Measles among Native Followers—Harry goes off alone among Cannibals—Adventurous Journey of a Boy of Sixteen—Description of Native Village on a 15–inch-wide Ridge. CHAPTER X UPS AND DOWNS The day after I had settled the business with Kafulu, I sent Sam on to the Kebea to collect Lepidoptera, so that we might be working two different localities and elevations at the same time. On April 26 Harry left Ekeikei to fetch Sam back with the collections he had made, for we had decided to go back to Hall Sound and send home our specimens, which the humid atmosphere was threatening to spoil. In due time they returned, and after I had examined the results of Sam’s labours, I arranged with him to return to Foula, where he had been collecting, while my son and myself went down to the coast.