| PAGE | |
| INTRODUCTION. | |
| North Queensland. | |
| Cooktown—Landing of Capt. Cook—North Shore—Native Fights—Decline of the Race—Endeavour River—Bush Scenery—Birth of Township—Palmer Goldfield—Frank Stubley—Mount Morgan—The Tin Fields—Sugar Cultivation—Bloomfield River—Deserted in the Bush—A FishingExcursion | [1] |
| NEW GUINEA. | |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| The Voyage. | |
| SchoonerSpitfire—Last Adieus—The Start—The Great Barrier—Osprey Reef—Wreck of the S.S.Papua—"Taking the Sun"—Somnambulism on the High Seas—Breakers Ahead—Land in Sight—Brumer Islands—A Dead Calm—H.M.S.Harrier—Heath Island—Natives Come on Board—China Straits—At Anchor | [27] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| The Government. | |
| British Policy—Death of Sir Peter Scratchley—Hon. John Douglas—Discovery of Gold—Samarai—Native Policy of the Government—China Straits—A Marine Villa—Native Intelligence | [40] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Native Customs. | |
| Types—Origin—Religion—Mourning—Marriage—Treatment of Women—Children—Dress—Villages—Land Tenure—Food—Language —Musical Instruments—Native Manufactures | [57] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| A Stormy Trip. | |
| Christmas at Samarai—Ah Gim—Expedition to Wari—A Series of Mishaps—The Island of Wari—Chewing Betel-Nut—Smoking—Canoe Trading | [72] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| A Golden Prospect. | |
| Arrival ofJuanita—Origin of Gold Discovery—Fight Between Wagga-Wagga and Tube-Tube Natives—Weapons—Return ofJuanita—Trip to Sud-Est—Sud-Est—Head Hunting—SchoonerHygeialeft for Rossel Island—Cannibalism | [88] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Voyage to Bismarck Archipelago. | |
| Return ofSeagullfrom Sud-Est—Capt. Ancell Killed—Native Treachery—Hygeiaarrived China Straits—Left for East Cape—Strange Looking Natives at Bentley Bay—Egum (Woodlarks)— Tokaiakus the Dwarf—Trobriand Group—Met CutterAlbatross—Trade with Natives—I go on Shore—Jurien Island—Waterspout, St. George's Channel—Arrival at Mioko, Duke of York Islands | [111] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Bismarck Archipelago. | |
| Mioko—Mr. H——'s Hospitality—Boat Race—Ralume, New Britain— Mrs. F——'s Plantation—Native Markets in Blanche Bay—Mud Throwing—Volcano—Picnic to Pigeon Island—Samoan Dance | [151] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Return Voyage. | |
| Left Ralume—St. George's Channel—Fate of Charles Hunstein— Marquis de Ray's Expedition—Head Winds—Shot a Shark—Pilot Fish—Lost two Buckets Overboard—Arrived Egum—Landed Dwarf— Obtained large Turtle—Painted Boat—Arrived China Straits— Christmas Eve 1888. | [186] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| The "Trial." | |
| Diggers Sick with Fever—The Supreme Court—Reported Murder of S. and W., Ferguson Island—Went inAlice Meadeto Rescue— Report Untrue—SchoonerMyrtledismasted—Went inJuanitato her assistance—Dawson Island—BroughtMyrtleinto Port—Tide Rips—Arrival ofSeagull—Coffee Plantation on Mainland | [203] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| South Coast. | |
| I Visit Aroma—Chief Koepina—Village of Hula—Port Moresby—Ascent of Mount Owen Stanley—Sir William MacGregor—Murder of Two White Men at Cloudy Bay | [235] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| Conclusion. | |
| Coastal Formation—Animals &c.—Climate—Population—Products, Present and Future—Native Labour | [263] |
| APPENDIX. | |
| Vocabulary of Language | [283] |
TWO YEARS AMONG
THE
SAVAGES OF NEW GUINEA.
INTRODUCTION.
NORTH QUEENSLAND.
About seven years ago, when living in South Queensland, I happened to come across a small book on New Guinea, which I devoured with great appetite; so much so that I determined, some time or another, to visit that little-known country, with its interesting savage inhabitants.
Two years afterwards I found my way up to Cooktown, North Queensland, which is situated immediately opposite the shores of New Guinea.