Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/136

102 thought of doing what he has done in using the natural advantages of this land itself. All this is feverishly and apologetically retailed to me. I tell them there are Wise Men in London capable of the same absurdities, and that consoles them. It is a most natural grievance here that Berlin must have a say in every trifle, but for the present it cannot well be otherwise. The Governor’s small steam vessel lay near us. He had just returned from a visit to the remote Carolines, of which he is also Governor, though no doubt in Berlin they think it is but an hour or two across in a small boat, they look so near on the map.

The Bishop was exceedingly put out at seeing his steamboat ashore. Then the Governor’s boat went to pull it off, though it dared not approach too near the surf, and Captain Niedermayer dared not risk the Stettin in aiding. A long hawser was let out and affixed to the Mission boat, and after strenuous efforts it was at last launched and towed out into deep water. Then it was found that they had placed only one native on board, who either did not understand or was unable to obey the orders yelled at him to let go the anchor; so, as both boats began to drift ashore, the Captain of the Governor’s boat in disgust cast off the hawser and steamed out to safety, whilst the poor Bishop—who, whilst this was fee on, was not the least like a bishop in language or manner—had the mortification of seeing his prized vessel again go ashore broadside and come a wreck before his eyes. All this was very exciting, and the Bishop had all our sympathy. Then at the Mission a gun was fired, a flag hoisted, and the people of the Mission— three hundred of them—all in gala attire, which, in the case of the men, meant merely a red loin- cloth, were seen pouring down the steep bank