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Transcription
Lehner, P.
1944
123
Nov. 11 - continued 5
delicious would be a lie; with a canteen
of water at my side I was able to wash
down what the coconut milk refused to flush
and we all forced down enough to appear
pleased and well fed; I could see that my
constant drinking from the canteen was
being met with disapproval but the other
alternative would have been far worse; when
we leaned back and patted our stomachs
indicating we could consume no more, they
cleared the table and began a procession of
gifts accompanied by "singing"; they adorned
us with a multitude of leis around the neck
and on top of the head and then each brought
us a cowrie, several tiger cowries and three
of another kind unfamiliar to all of us; we
were now brothers in the tribe, members of the
Women's Club and sick of coconut milk; we took
pictures of each other sitting amongst the natives,
gathered our gear, shook hands, waved, grunted,
smiled and headed for the beach; we loaded
the boat, thanked the Headman once more
and shoved off for Elizabeth Island at 2:10 P.M.
We arrived at Elizabeth Is. at 2:45 P.M.
and were greeted by their young Head man and
several of the other natives who helped us carry
our gear ashore; here again we were immediately
approached by the many natives, but nary a bird
(over)