One Or Two Of The Women Wore Only The Old-Time
Small Aprons Of Coconut Fibre.
We followed the Waiandina River amid very fine scenery.
The sloping
hills were covered with woods, and we passed under a canopy of bamboo,
the large trumpet flowers of the white DATURA, tree-ferns, large "ivi,"
"dakua" and "kavika" trees loaded with ferns and fine orchids in
flower. We crossed the river several times, and I was carried across
by a huge Fijian whose head and neck were covered with lime. Rain
soon set in again, and we literally wallowed in mud and water. I
got drenched by the soaking vegetation, so I afterwards waded boldly
through rivers and streams, as it was impossible to get any wetter.
At Nasiuvou the whole village turned out to greet me, and I held my
usual reception in the chief's hut. The chief seemed very annoyed that
I would not stay the night. No doubt he thought that I would prove
a great attraction for his people. The banks of the Waiandina River
were crowded as I got into a canoe, and Masirewa, in trying to show
off with a large paddle, lost his balance and fell into the water, the
yells of laughter from the crowd showing that they were not lacking
in humour. Masirewa did not like it at all, but I was very glad, as
he had been giving himself too many airs. I dismissed my two bearers
and took only one canoe man and made Masirewa help him.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 45 of 217
Words from 12136 to 12390
of 59060
