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one disappear into the valley, speaking hardly a word amongst ourselves. I know what filled the others' minds - The sincere self-satisfaction of being virtuous and gaining such an honour. The natives may be simple living but they're more human in character than we, ourselves. I often think what a Garden of Eden these Pacific Islands would still be, but for the ravage of the white man. His diseases have wiped out thousands and brought untold suffering to thousands more. One native told me on the previous night, that if the relieving tabida didn't treat them decently, they couldn't be friends like we were.

Sleep was out of the question, so we stayed awake talking and raving about the singing & dancing. I believe I was not asleep until 2 a.m.

The morning dawned while we were preparing for our dpearture. The trucks drew up at 7.30 a.m and I gave some sound advice to our relieving corporal. Two or three native boys
came in time to carry my bedding down the hill & off we went. I had a sneaking idea that we had not seen the last of our friends. And as I took a last long look at Porebada village I was only a little impressed to see an endless file of girls hurrying along the path. The officer that was in charge of the loading party, gaped and looked confounded and couldn't believe his eyes. (Before this a girl never walked anywhere near us unchaperoned by male gardians armed with spears. If you come on them by surprise it was certain they would run 'bush' & hide.) Imagine his surprise as they called us by name & surrounded us.