(134) come rodents. I do not entertain the slightest trace of that sentiment known as affection for Dunn, Philp & Co. We took every precaution and would have moved away to anchor if it had not been blowing so hard, and Tulagi harbor such an unspeakable place for small vessels - nothing less than 23 fathom, and these comes winging in at this time of year. It is a bitter lesson that teaches me to avoid every wharf in the future. July-23 David, Charlie and I landed with the rest of the crew to carry the gear as far as the garden of the little village - Kokwana. There are only 7 men and a native teacher. He made it known that Capt. Middey, the D.S. at Gizo (formerly Vanikoro) instructed them to lend every assistance possible to the France if she called. The first instance of natives (especially Missiniz) offering aid unsolicited with promise of reward. Four men & the Teacher and the three of us hiked on to the stuff and cut our way over an old trail. About a mile and a half inland we came upon an old monument - a small square sarcophagus built of coral slabs about 2 1/2 feet high surrounded by four up-right stones, at the corners. Inside the stone cavity which was covered by a flat rock were several skulls surrounded by rings (dog-nut shape) cut out of clam shell - all sizes, spear heads made by cutting through a section of shell, thus giving the impression of artistic fillings, and other broken ornaments, widely worn around the neck. This is the ikon worshipped by one old man who still lives in the bush with his three daughters. (This from the mission teacher). He has eschewed all missions with vehemence, speaks no pidgin, and has lately gone blind. He clings to his old beliefs and shelters his daughters from intrusion; they work his garden and he will not hear of any attachment with any of the Vanguan natives because they are all either 7th-Day Adventists or Methodists. Here is a real patriarch. By 10 A.M. it had commenced a heavy downpour which stayed with us right through the night after we had set up a camp and made the best of a wet situation. No dry wood & consequently cold food. O Miserere. One bird - a large graybird was shot through the fog. July 24 - We made a show of collecting after another cold meal this morning. It rained all night so that everything is slowly becoming saturated. The best house we can construct out of the piece of waterproof canvas and leaves, is far from leak-proof. I shot a bitter at about 3000 feet and later a thick-lees. The boys got nothing but a lone white-eye. I realize that the bird I shot