(34) 344 No collecting accomplished by me except some insects. Weather fine and clear. March 17 Picked up one box left by Coultaas in a house near the river. Nothing remains at Erigomano where I stopped to see if sometnings which coultaas could not carry with him had been returned to Su-u by some of the boat's crew as he had directed. Rain commenced at 2:30 increasing to downpour. We got out to the coast by 3:45 and went aboard the schooner where I got into dry clothes. Unpacked and rewrapped the specimens I had brought down. Captain has been painting the ship after burning off and is near- ly finished. No collecting done by me. Wea[illegible]ther cleared up at night. March 18 Packed up the supplies needed up in the bush and sent off the two carriers at 8 A.M. Also paid off a casual"work-play"boy who has been hanging about the ship and remunerated"Whisky", the local headman for his services. Squared up our account with the Malayta Company; they have sup- plied us with many necessities and have offered every available assist- ance. Started motor at 3 P.M. and proceeded alongside wharf to take in fresh water. Finished by 7 o'clock, made adieux, and cast off. Southerly course set to pass Cape Zelee. Captain ill with attack of fever. Sea fair- ly calm but heavy rains. Self on watch all night. No collecting done. March 19 Cape Zelee in sight at dawn and course altered for Ulawa Is. Wind came away from the north and headed us until we made the lee side of the island about 1 P.M. Sotalahia Anchorage very exposed to this weath- er. Coasted up to NW end of Ulawa (Ngorongoro) and dropped anchor outside inner harbor while captain went out in longboat to sound and inspect the very narrow and tortuous passage. The"France"must negotiate this to lie in the only possible harbor here. Decided to try it and succeeded after about an hour's work using both motor and kedge anchors. The ship touched three times on isolated stones; the false keel eliminated any possibility of damage. We found no swinging room inside and had to put down both anc- hors and lay out two kedges to keep the vessel in position. The manager of the plantation here is away; no other white people on the place. Our success in manoeuvering the ship into this little cove proved fortunate for both the captain and myself. He is truly [illegible] to a spell of subtertian malaria; and I also have an attack with the miserable gastric complications and a heavy cold as well. No collecting done. Strong NW squalls and gales during night. March 20 Captain a little better to-day. Self very ill and unable to get out of bed. Crew continued with the painting around the ship. Numerous natives came aboard. No collecting done. Overcast sky and variable northerly winds. March 21 Another bad day of fever. Captain much worse to-day. Neither he nor I can stomach any food and have to lie [illegible] still. Plenty of natives in this district; no trouble to get hunters. Fresh wind from the NE made the vessel strain at her moorings which had to be adjusted during day. Some rain at night. No collecting done. March 22 Captain and self still ill; but I am somewhat improved.