31701-0017-0002

xx

that you were there to enjoy that night with me. The secret of our popularity was simple yet seldom carried out. As soon as they found we had no evil designs like so many others, they couldn't thank us enough, They respected us & were happy.

Sounds of singing must have been heard in the village, for down along the beach, far below, came a long torchlight procession of girls, their swaying ramis making an unforgettable sight. The singing changed to cheering as they panted up the steep slope towards us. Our visitors now numbered between 70 & 80. They greeted us with a trustful smile, "Good night tow bada," then seated themselves on the ground. A round of trade tobacco livened things up, followed by biscuits later in the night. By popular request we sang them a song. So the others lacked voice it fell on me to do the singing, with them joining in in the chorus. I had to do my very best not to be miserably outclassed by their perfect voices, and to my joy they clapped and cried "namo, namo, heria" After that effort I had to give half a dozen encores, I taught them "Daisy, Daisy," and when 10 o'clock came
they wanted to stay, though the wind blew frightfully cold. For supper we gave them Sao biscuits and within half an hour made ready to go. I thought a few autographs would be a reminder of our farewell and get them with no trouble. Each said "Namo Ba Mahuta" individually, their husky voices expressing a true emotion. Only one or two knew anything of English, but I could converse quite well with them in Motuau. One asked
me the name of my Sinabada, I answered, 'Nancy". They then said you must be a very, very beautiful sinabada. We watched the last