"TIME THAT ARRIVED IN THE MAIL. FINISHED UP OUR KEROSENE SOON AFTER DINNER. I SAT DOWN TO READ WITH MY FLASHLIGHT FOR A WHILE AND THEN DROPPED OFF TO SLEEP WITH THE FROG & CRIGHT CHORUS IN MY EARS FOR THE LAST TIME. THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD CAMP. 250 (2.21) MON. SEPT. 7, 1953 115 PERIY RIVER TO BRIAWA. UP BEFORE 6:11 BREAKFAST OVER BY 6:30. THE BOYS KNOW JUST WHAT OUR ROUTINE OF CAMP BREAKING IS BY NOW AND ALL WENT SMOOTHLY. MORE CARRIERS SHOWED UP INCLUDING ABOUT 8 WOMEN, SOME OF WHOM CARRIED UP TO 40 POUNDS IN THEIR HEAD SLING BAGS. WE LEFT AT 7:55 AND FOLLOWED THE CARRIER PACE WHICH IS SURPRISINGLY FAST. PASSED THRU TWAGING WHERE WE COULD GET OUR FIRST REAL VIEW OF MANEAU - IT LOOKED VERY RESTLESS IN THE SUN HAZE. ARRIVED AT THE LANDING ON MEI BIRI, BREAKFAST 11 A.M. THE TIDE WAS CREEPING SLOWLY OVER THE MUD FIRTH UP THE MANGROVE ROOTS. IT WAS 3:15 P.M. BEFORE WE COULD LOAD THE CANOES + START POLING DOWN THE NARROW CHANNEL. IN THE MEANTIME WE HAD MORNING TEA + LUNCH, THEN PAID OFF THE CARRIERS + WE SHOOK HANDS ALL AROUND, WOMEN INCLUDED. IT WAS A MOST FRIENDLY ENDING TO A GOOD SHOW. BOUGHT A LIME GOURD (SITTING WHEN THEY CHEW BETEL NUT) FROM THE OPPRIGWARI COUNSELOR FOR THE MUSEUM COLLECTION. TOOK A FEW PICTURES OF THE CANOES BUT THE CRICK IS ARCHED OVER BY MANGROVE BRANCHES + THE LIGHT WAS NOT TOO GOOD. AS WE POLED ACROSS SHALLOW MEI BIRI BAY A FRESH S.E. BREEZE WAS BLOWING BUT NOT ENOUGH TO SHIP WATER. IN PLACES WE WERE ONLY 2 OR 3 FEET ABOVE THE SARAL HEADS, AND A SHARK SURFACED NEAR OUR CANOE FOR THE ONLY EXCITEMENT. ARRIVED AT THE "BRIAWA CAMP" JUST BEFORE 5:15 P.M. OUR SWAGS + WORKING GEAR WENT UP TO THE BEST HOUSE ON THE HILL WHERE WE SAT + LOOK OUT OVER THE BAY TO CAPE NELSON + THE ORANGE SUNSETS + SOUTH TO MANEAU. SLEEPING IN MY OWN GOT AGAIN TONIGHT. LENT GEORGE OPENED THEIR LAST BOTTLE OF RUM + GOT OUT A FEW PRECHILLED LUCKY STRIKES THEY FOUND IN THE ARMY RATION KITS. KEN & DAVID ARE OUT HUNTING WALLABY TONIGHT. CAPT. SMITH IS DUE ON THE 10TH. 251 (2.22) TUES. SEPT. 8, 1953 114 BRIAWA: KEN SHOT A WALLABY LAST NIGHT, GAVE IT TO THE BOYS TO ROAST WHOLE OVER THE COALS. THEY PUT IT IN SKIN & ALL, SAID THE SKULL FOR ME. SPENT MOST OF THE DAY GOING OVER MY GLAY SORTING OUT. [illegible] WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A REAL SHAVE.