Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/368

278 All the same, it was a long sail, as we had to tack so much, and I simply marvelled at the cleverness of that little woman. I was relieved when we got to the pier at last, which was crowded with people, who regarded our arrival with astonishment, as they well might, for it is not the custom in Singapore for European men to go out in small sampans with Chinese women! Moreover, I was dripping wet, and took such an affectionate farewell of that boat's crew that it seemed queerer than ever. She was such a nice woman, and the tiny children quite fascinating. I took care they did not bring me ashore for nothing, and left them all waving and smiling " Good-bye." Then I mounted the steps to the top of the pier, shook the wet off me like a dog over the gaping crowd, and walked away without giving them any explanation.

I don't know when I am leaving for Hong-Kong, China, Japan, and America—just when I am tired of Singapore, and that is not yet. People are kind here, it is all very pleasant, I like the gaiety and colour of it all, and feel quite loth to commence travelling again. I have been back to the Stettin for another farewell—but already New Guinea seems like a dream, and as if it were long ago since I was there. My " little ship" that is to bear me on is a big German liner, and I hear that the goodwill of various distinguished German naval and military officers, going sooner or later by one of the boats to join the allied forces at Pekin, has been bespoken for me, and that there is no fear of my not being taken care of—valuable me! Both Captain Niedermayer and Captain Dunbar have been most kind, and the latter intends seeing me off when I go, and introducing his distinguished compatriots.

I hate this continual saying of "Good-bye," and when I like people, wish they would just settle