When The Kanakas

Came

Lone White’s Coolness And Resource

(Contributed.)

LIKE many others, Wally Swindells has left the Durantina (Purari district, Upper Ramu), a disillusioned man. But he appreciated the Government’s wisdom in not allowing prospectors into that area unless they have a good supply of firearms.

After a month’s unsuccessful search along the river, he came to a place which had previously been worked, by Schmidt first and then by Bernard.

When he arrived, not a Kanaka was in sight; they were prosecuting, most probably, their favourite sport—fighting other tribes. On the second day, however, a large party arrived, and Wally engaged 30 to strip 10 ft. of overburden. They worked well, at first, but he noticed that they were getting very cheeky, laughing at him when told to “step on the gas.”

One day, when they had left, one of Swindell’s “monkeys” came to him terribly frightened: “Master, Kanaka ‘ee talk; you fellow no got musket; along night he come killum you altogether; him stealem cargo.”

As Bernard had worked the place with out trouble for two months, Wally did not pay any attention to this.

However, at daybreak, his big Alsatian started to bark furiously. Wally promptly got out of bed and saw the surrounding hills black with Kanakas, all armed with their bows and arrows. The boys were scared stiff, but stuck to their master.

Swindells, though only in the district a few months, went back to the house, hid a revolver in his shirt, and quietly crossed the bridge and, after a long and dangerous palaver, he managed to persuade three of the wildest to come with him to the camp, while the others were shouting defiance and brandishing their bows and arrows.

Back at the house, Wally showed them his firearms and, placing a milk tin at 50 yards, he shot at it several times —a bullseye every time.

The Kanakas, seeing that he not only had rifles but that he could shoot such a small object at a long distance, started to rub him, telling him what a wonderful fellow he was.

Those engaged to work came down the hill at full speed to resume their stripping with great energy. The others went back to their many villages. From that day on Wally never experienced the slightest trouble.

But had he not had plenty of firearms, and displayed courage and the coolness of a veteran, he would have been fricasseed or roasted that day.

Swindells stayed there another six weeks, but gave it up. Four to five dwts. of amalgam does not pay, specially with freight at 8½d per lb., and the ’drome a long day’s march away. He brought his gear to Bill Bernard’s camp, a few miles up river, and departed for Wau, leaving Bernard by himself in the district.

Makea Karika Takau, chief of one of the leading families of Rarotonga, Cook Is., and Mata’afa Salanoa Muliufi, a prominent native leader of Western Samoa, had the honour of O.B.E. conferred upon them by the N.Z. Government on the King’s Birthday, June 3.