The Burial

OF

Jimmy

Another New

Guinea Sketch

By “Seahorse”

MORNING tea was completely forgotten when Bill came into the District Office and anwearily, “Well. I’ve got Jimmy!”

With the staff at his heels he went back outside and indicated a small box.

The DO showed his constemation. “But, Bill,” he said, “surely not ... I mean, the box . . . it’s so small!” Uncertainly he added, “Isn’t it?”

“The skull and a few ribs.” Bill replied quietly. “It’s not headhunter country in there, you know,” he further explained. “But the kanakas like to take all the good, straight bones for making daggers . . . and there are wild pigs . . .”

The scene was Madang in the 20’s.

Jimmy was an ex-seaman who had gone recruiting for the Board. Following up a river on the coast further north, he had eventually penetrated the semi-uncontrolled country at its head, and there was surprised and murdered by natives.

The jungle grapevine inevitably brought the news to the DO. and Bill soon found himself on his way, in Old Sol’s boat, to secure the remains.

And now Bill was back—with all that remained of Jimmy.

The DO dragged his eyes away from the box. “Good, Bill.” he said.

“Good work! We’ll have the burial this afternoon. Listen, everybody, the rest of to-day is declared a holi-

day to bury Jimmy. C’mon Bill, well go round and notify the town about the funeral.” rpHE little group dispersed, and the J_ two cour i e rs began the circuit of the very hospitable house holders of Madang.

At every stop Bill had to retell the story of his dash up the river, display the scratch he had received during an arrow attack that came too close, and describe the scene he had found at Jimmy’s last camp.

And the whisky flowed in those hospitable homes. And Madang was a sizable township. No wonder Bill, in the course of notifying the citizenry, lost all trace of the box containing Jimmy, “But dammit. Bill, you’ve got to find Jimmy! It’s almost time for the funeral, and Old Sol s boys have t* l6 grave dug and all Of course, the box was eventually on the ground outside the where an( * 00 dad leit it. rpHE dead recruiter had been very X popular, and the funeral was well attended. No parson was available, and when Old Sol diplo matically volunteered to lay Jimmy to rest, the DO was only too pleased to pass the duty on.

Old Sol opened the book and looked impressively around. Every head was inclined reverently. Sol mounted the pile of earth thrown up by the gravediggers, and began the service.