94) SUNI 3 MAY 1953 MENAPI. TODAY SAW THE END OF MY SPECIMEN PACKING BUT NOT WITHOUT INCIDENT. A NOISE IN THE DRYING SHED AT 3:AM, WOKE KEN - HE FOUND A DOG INSIDE CHEWING ON MY 2 LAST CUSCUS SKINS. THE HEADS + FEET HAD BEEN EATEN LEAVING THE BODY SKINS. SPECIMENS WERE DRY + COVERED WITH ALUM + ARSENIC - THERE IS A SICK OR DEAD DOG IN MENAPI TONIGHT. ALSO ATE THE DRY HORN BILL FOOT! SKINS WERE HANGING NEAR ROOF + DOOR WAS TIED SHUT. THESE PAPUAN DOGS ARE A HUNGRY + PERSISTENT LOT. DID NOT TOUCH MY SMALL STUDY SKINS OF THE LAST FEW COLLECTING DAYS: MADE UP 1 BAT + THE GLIDER 2 BATS + 1 Mus INTO FORMALIN. SKULLS ALL FITTED INTO 2 AMMO BOXES, ALCOHOLICS INTO 1 4 GAL. CAN; AND SMALL SKINS INTO BLACK BOX; LARGE, INTO KNOCKDOWN BOX. ALL SET EXCEPT NAILING TIGHT. THE "TESSIE" CAME IN A DAY EARLY - LATE IN P.M. WE LOAD TOMORROW + SAIL EARLY TUESDAY. MRS. SPILLER INVITED US TO DINNER TO WELCOME BILL MASON HOME. NORMAN EVENNETT, PART OWNER + SKIPPER OF THE "TESSIE" + A FRIEND, CHAPMAN, WERE THERE ALSO. GINGER BEER! TELLO + ICE CREAM! HOME AT 9:30. LETTER FROM AILSA + DUSTY TO GEOFF WITH A P.S. TO ME SAYING THEY ARE SENDING CHOCOLATE CANDY. SCRAPPED ALL CUSCUS SKINS TO REMOVE ALL OIL. WE GAVE OUR COOK + HELPER A DAY OFF. GEOFF FRIED EGGS- OUR FIRST IN MENAPI. WASHED DISHES - FIRST TIME IN 3 MOS. MOON JUST UP. FRESH BREEZE TONIGHT. NO JACKING. TOTAL MAMMALS FOR THIS CAMP - 479. WILL CARRY BAT + SQUIRREL ON TO BAI BWA WITH ME. KEN HAS FALLEN IN LOVE WITH NATIVE PAPUAN GIRL. THIS COUNTRY IS HIS LIFE.