CHAPTER XXIII

THROUGH THE HINTERLAND—{concluded)

THE RETURN JOURNEY.—MORE CHIEFS AND TREATIES

We left Pandeme about 6.30 A.M., and marched on
without interruption until we reached the old shed, where
we had stopped three days before. Passing on, we at once
entered the dense forest through which the Mawir runs, as
already described.

On emerging from the forest, we happily found a small
narrow track that led us to a capital road-way. We passed
a couple of small fakais, and after seven hours from our
first start, we arrived at the large town of Kumbalahun,
where we made a short halt to give the men a rest. During
this time the chiefs wife most courteously cooked rice for
them, which was very acceptable. This was particularly
kind, considering the way we unfortunately had to damage
the entrances to the town to get my loads through. Resum¬
ing the march, and continuously going up and down steep
hills, we ultimately returned to Kolahun at about five
o'clock, foot-sore, utterly exhausted, and wringing wet with
perspiration. The distance by this route was about the
same as the one by which we had arrived—twenty miles ;
but although the travelling was fearfully laborious from its