The Cruise of the Kawa: Wanderings in the South Seas

lora and fauna. We arrive at the capitol. A lecture on

ng our stomachs gently, at the same time uttering a soft, crooning "soo-soo," [Footnote: This same sound is used by the natives of Sugar Hill, New H

t their large umbrellas of panjandrus leaves which we had first mistaken for weapons. This implement, (known technically as a naa-naa or taa-taa, depending on whether it was open or closed), was in reality notonly a useful and necessary protection against the continuous nut-showers but also a weapon of both of- and de-fensive warfare. [Foot

y along a winding path which led toward the interior of the island. It was for all the world as if we were being taken out to dinner, a thought which suggested for an instant th

onstantly dropping nuts bounding from the protective taa-taas, and the squawks and screeches of countless

o classify, the bulbous oo-pa, a sort of vegetable cream-puff, the succulent tuki-taki, pale-green with red dots, a natural cross between the banana and the cocoanut, ha

of the alova blooms, one inhale of which, we were to learn, contained the kick of three old-fashioned m

correcting by some sort of dramatic tableau such as having Triplett lie down and letting me place my foot on his Adam's apple, of which he had a splendid specimen. On second thought, however, I decided that it would be more modest to allow him any honors he might receive to

n: Babai and

Note: BABAI

un, the rain and the constant showers of falling nuts, and also, when occasion demands, a most effective weapon of defensive warfare. The taa-taa is made of closely laced panjandrus leaves on a frame of

countless Alice-blue wart-hogs which whined plaintively about our feet. At a majestic gesture from the chief the taa-taas were furled (

d, but where? My question was soon answered. By most gracious gestures, soft sounds and a series of fluttering finger exercises on the abdominal wall

s were in

ad it struck me so forcibly as now. Gazing up at a dim picture of informal construction, interlaced and blended with the trunks

rest, the gigantic leaves interweaving, blending, over-lapping, meeting in a passionate and successful desire to form a roof, proof alike against sun and rain. Some ten feet below this and an equal distance from the ground

pendent halyard of eva-eva, gently but firmly pulled down the floor to a convenient level, vaulted into the hammock-like depression and was immediately snapped into privacy.

by the inhalations of alova which we had absorbed during our journey. I looked forward eagerly to

alter E. Traproc

e: WALTER E. TRAP

d death a thousand times even though, as now, he had not a cartridge in his belt. That Dr. Traprock knows no fear is evidenced by the fact that he has not only explored every quarter of the globe, but that he has also written a number of books of travel, plays, musical comedies and one cook-book. The background of this picture shows the densely matted bush of the Filbert Islands in thei

e the natives eyed me solemnly but with, I thought, looks of anxiety. And then a strange thing happened. As I took off my duck's-back fishing hat, filled it to the brim and raised

s throughout these far-flung islands. Water it appeared was for drinking purposes-bapoo. I then did what I think was exactly the right thing under the circu

r appearance,-it was about the size of a half watermelon and bright red on the outside,-full of a pale pink liquid. The chief, one or two of the

ne away by the trade wind. Swank was beside me and I heard

ence, and the si

in a complicated knot in the exact center of our domicile. Unr

eliest voices that ever fell on mortal ears. The tone had that marvelous silver clang of the woodland thrush with yet a deeper, human poignancy, a note of pa

ed Swank, and Whinney

the intoxicating rhythm of the song. Slowly and with great dignity they entered the clearing and stood, a score of sle

ir national love-song. I transcribe the original words

-a-a-

-e-e-

-i-i-

-o-o-

-u-u-

some

-w-w-

n

-y-y-

ality of Polynesian phonetics is impossible for foreigners to acquire. Europeans who attempt a mastery of these soun

ng into the forest. Long after they had disappeared our eyes still hung over

-w-w-

-y-y-

d glow on the horizon and then, far off a rocket spl

the Kawa-a signal of distress! Poor

it was no use. One by one we lowered ourselves into the pit of our arboreal home and drifted int