Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
teresting place than Dorey, as well as a better harbour. The natives were quite unsophistic-
ated, being rarely visited except by stray whalers, and they were superior to the Dorey
people, morally and physically. They went quite naked. Their houses were some in the water
and some inland, and were all neatly and well built; their fields were well cultivated, and the
paths to them kept clear and open, in which respects Dorey is abominable. They were shy at
first, and opposed the boats with hostile demonstrations, bending their bows, and intimating
that they would shoot if an attempt was made to land. Very judiciously the captain gave
way, but threw on shore a few presents, and after two or three trials they were permitted to
land, and to go about and see the country, and were supplied with fruits and vegetables. All
communication was carried on with them by signs—the Dorey interpreter, who accompan-
ied the steamer, being unable to understand a word of their language. No new birds or anim-
als were obtained, but in their ornaments the feathers of Paradise birds were seen, showing,
as might be expected, that these birds range far in this direction, and probably all over New
Guinea.
