course of time, undoubtedly bring about the opening up and conquest of the unknown territory. But it will take a very long time, and the speculation in the meantime, on the nature of this country, and what it possesses, will continue. Kieta was our Christmas port. In the idle week we spent there at anchor we made friends and passed many happy hours. The most extraordinary of these friends and hours combined in company with Mr. Ebery and Mr. Walsh, the owners and partners in the only European store, and with Mr. Scrivin, the wireless operator. Scrivin, who in addition to his telegraphic duties finds time to edit the "Kieta News", entertained Hamlin and me at dinner one evening and treated us to a roast fowl. Mr. Ebery entertained Hamlin and Dr. Drowne and myself at dinner on Christmas Day and treated us to some apricot brandy, new victrola records and cigars. The arrival and departure of the "Marsina", the departure of Walsh, the Christmas on the France, the gifts and speeches of the crew, the pig, a dinner at Wong's, an all night's row in a rainstorm, an all day's walk in a rainstorm, a night at Arawa plantation, all came and went in one week's phantasmagora- while twelve fathoms of chain held the France to the bottom of Kieta harbor and plans went forward for her overhauling in Rabaul and for Dr. Drowne's, Hamlin's and my expedition into the mountains of Bougainville.