United States or Ecuador ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
I have had another meeting with the leading men, and I think all is now peace. My friend Rahe seems a great personage, with relatives innumerable. He wants to know if I would like to be alone in the dubu; only say it, and all the men will leave. I prefer them remaining, and I will make myself comfortable on the front platform.
"What do you mean, Rahe?" "I want you to give me some of that medicine you use to make your boat sail." "I use no medicine, only Motu strong arms." "You could never have come along now without medicine." "We use no medicine, and have come along well." I had a splendid night's rest. My mosquito-net and blanket caused great amusement.
In the evening, men and women I suppose they would say "elegantly dressed" bodies besmeared with red pigment, croton and dracaena leaves, and feathers of various birds fixed on head, arms, and legs, paraded the villages. At present all move about armed, and in this establishment bows, bent and unbent, and bundles of arrows are on all sides. Rahe has just been to me to ask for boat medicine.
A chief rushed into the water, and called on us to come. "Come, with peace from afar; come, friends, and you will meet us as friends." We went round and entered the river in deep water, close to eastern bank near to the village. Until we had a talk, I would allow none but Piri's friend and my friends, Semese and Rahe, near the boats.
At intervals a faint glimmer might be discerned behind the sodden 'chicks' which shrouded the windows; and once the stillness was broken by a voice humming a refrain from an Indian drama: "Jahan jahan mukam rahe, amne jhulakiram rahe, Safarse ghar ko to phire, Aman-chaman khuda rakhe." Which, being interpreted, runs: "Wheresoever thou mayst halt, may God protect thee!
Semese spoke nearly all the night through, exhorting all to peace, and that now we had visited them they ought no more to go about exalting themselves, fighting with their neighbours, and speaking evil of their friends, the Motuans. Rahe has brought his son, whom he has named Tamate. I have no doubt he will be an expensive honour. We went up the William River to-day.
Word Of The Day