109 had already fallen through dry rot and the openings planted with Pandanus, did not lessen our task, for great care had to be taken not to injure the Pandanus. At the very beginning of operations there was much angry excitement among the Papuan onlookers when one of the Dyaks, careless of warnings that they were to be left strictly undamaged, hacked two stilts from a young tree. The owner was appeased with a shell and work continued without further untoward event until some other Pandanus were threatened with destruction by a big tree which was being cut. The Papuans [illegible] divided between the pleasurable anticipation of witnessing the fall of the tree and anxiety for their property, finally gave permission for the cutting to proceed. All but one young fellow of inflammable temper who stood chattering excitedly and jabbing the but of his spear into the ground. Fearing trouble should a Pandan be damaged, I took hold of his spear and after an appreciative examination, offered him a shell for it. At the sight of the shell he forgot all else and parted with his weapon without hesitation. When the tree fell, skillfully directed by the Dyaks, it did no damage. Later in the day we had another demonstration of the uncertain temper of these very friendly, [illegible] simple people. The incident occurred after work was over and we had all returned to camp. I was sitting in my tent when loud screams came from the stream nearby and I heard a rush of bare feet past my door. Running out I found that one of the Dyaks, who had been playfully scruffing a native lad, was threatened by two men with bows and arrows, supported by half a dozen others, equally threatening but unarmed. The reprimand I gave the Dyak seemed to please the Papuans who returned to the warmth of their house and soon were singing away as if nothing had happened. There is so much timber on the ground after felling the forest that we are building the tents and flies on floors raised 1 to 4 feet above the ground. Later the rubbish from in between will be cleared away. Richardson arrived about 10.30 with his collecting boys and 24 carriers under military escort. Carriers returned to Habbema at 11.15.