Two Years with the Natives in the Western Pacific

Published 1913[v]

Preface

This book is a collection of sketches written on lonely evenings during my voyage; some of them have been published in dailypapers, and were so kindly received by the public as to encourage me to issue them in book form. In order to retain the freshnessof first impressions, the original form has been but slightly changed, and only so much ethnological detail has been addedas will help to an understanding of native life. The book does not pretend to give a scientific description of the peopleof the New Hebrides; that will appear later; it is meant simply to transmit some of the indelible impressions the travellerwas privileged to receive,—impressions both stern and sweet. The author will be amply repaid if he succeeds in giving thereader some slight idea of the charm and the terrors of the islands. He will be proud if his words can convey a vision ofthe incomparable beauty and peacefulness of the glittering lagoon, and of the sublimity of the virgin forest; if the readercan divine the charm of the native when gay and friendly, and his ferocity when gloomy and hostile. I have set down some ofthe joys and some [vi]of the hardships of an explorer’s life; and I received so many kindnesses from all the white colonists I met, that one greatobject of my writing is to show my gratitude for their friendly help.

First of all, I would mention His Britannic Majesty’s Resident, Mr. Morton King, who followed my studies with the most sympatheticinterest, was my most hospitable host, and, I may venture to say, my friend. I would name Mr. Colonna, Résident de France,Judge Alexander in Port Vila, and Captain Harrowell; in Santo, Rev. Father Bochu, the Messrs. Thomas, Mr. Fysh, Mr. Clapcott;in Malo, Mr. M. Wells and Mr. Jacquier; in Vao, Rev. Father Jamond; in Malekula, Rev. F. Paton, Rev. Jaffrays, Mr. Bird andMr. Fleming; in Ambrym, Rev. Dr. J. J. Bowie, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Decent; in Pentecoste, Mr. Filmer; in Aoba, Mr. Albert andRev. Grunling; in Tanna, Rev. Macmillan and Dr. Nicholson; in Venua Lava, Mr. Choyer; in Nitendi, Mr. Matthews. I am alsoindebted to the Anglican missionaries, especially Rev. H. N. Drummond, and to Captain Sinker of the steam yacht Southern Cross, to the supercargo and captains of the steamers of Burns, Philp & Company. There are many more who assisted me in variousways, often at the expense of their own comfort and interest, and not the least of the impressions I took home with me is,that nowhere can one find wider hospitality or friendlier helpfulness [...