Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/237

Rh purpose as she can. It is unfortunate for her in a way, as naturally these aims are looked on askance by others; but she is not likely to desist from them, and there is no reason she should. It is almost naïve the way she is, with a gracious smile and her tongue in her cheek, insinuating herself into the Holy Land. Surely there are dreams somewhere of the crowning of a King in Jerusalem, the creating of a great legend? All those fine buildings, all those gracious visits—already it would seem she thinks she is there!]

We arrived at Berlinshafen, which is 180 English miles from Potsdamhafen, at daybreak. Since 1897 it has been a station of the New Guinea Co. It was first started in 1894 by Ludwig Karnbach. On Seleo he made the first plantation; he died 1897, and then the New Guinea Co. took it over. Berlinshafen is only a bay, on the east side of which lie the islands of Ali or Alij, Seleo, and Angeli, quite near each other. In the background is the thickly wooded mainland coast.

At Ali there was a great fight with the natives. The Germans came in the Moewe, and for some purpose found it necessary to land a party to fell and clear the thick trees and undergrowth at one place. They did not know that this was taboo—that is, sacred ground—and were at it unarmed, when suddenly they were attacked by the natives with spears, and many wounded ere they could reach the boats. They then retaliated by burning the native houses, killing many natives, and taking some prisoners. Captain Dunbar, who was then in command of the Moewe, is here to describe it. They swamped many canoes, and shot the natives swimming in the water. Hence here the Germans are hated and distrusted. You are amongst savages in a very wild state here. They come out