ground, by the side of the chief path from the village of Dorey to the provision-
grounds and the forest. Within twenty yards was a little stream; which furnished
us with excellent water and a nice place to bathe. There was only low
underwood to clear away, while some fine forest trees stood at a short distance,
and we cut down the wood for about twenty yards round to give us light and air.
The house, about twenty feet by fifteen; was built entirely of wood, with a
bamboo floor, a single door of thatch, and a large window, looking over the sea,
at which I fixed my table, and close beside it my bed, within a little partition. I
bought a number of very large palm-leaf mats of the natives, which made
excellent walls; while the mats I had brought myself were used on the roof, and
were covered over with attaps as soon as we could get them made. Outside, and
rather behind, was a little hut, used for cooking, and a bench, roofed over, where
my men could sit to skin birds and animals. When all was finished, I had my
goods and stores brought up, arranged them conveniently inside, and then paid
my Papuans with knives and choppers, and sent them away. The next day our
schooner left for the more eastern islands, and I found myself fairly established
as the only European inhabitant of the vast island of New Guinea.
As we had some doubt about the natives, we slept at first with loaded guns
beside us and a watch set; but after a few days, finding the people friendly, and
feeling sure that they would not venture to attack five well-armed men, we took
no further precautions. We had still a day or two's work in finishing up the
house, stopping leaks, putting up our hanging shelves for drying specimens
inside and out, and making the path down to the water, and a clear dry space in
front of the horse.
On the 17th, the steamer not having arrived, the coal-ship left, having lain
here a month, according to her contract; and on the same day my hunters went
out to shoot for the first time, and brought home a magnificent crown pigeon and
a few common birds. The next day they were more successful, and I was
delighted to see them return with a Bird of Paradise in full plumage, a pair of the
fine Papuan lories (Lorius domicella), four other lories and parroquets, a grackle
(Gracula dumonti), a king-hunter (Dacelo gaudichaudi), a racquet-tailed
kingfisher (Tanysiptera galatea), and two or three other birds of less beauty.
I went myself to visit the native village on the hill behind Dorey, and took
with me a small present of cloth, knives, and beads, to secure the good-will of
the chief, and get him to send some men to catch or shoot birds for me. The
houses were scattered about among rudely cultivated clearings. Two which I
visited consisted of a central passage, on each side of which opened short
passages, admitting to two rooms, each of which was a house accommodating a