Friday
October 15
1926

We were awake at dawn brite and full of pep. I made coffee and oatmeal which we shared with the soldier. He didn[’]t want any coffee but ate his share of oatmeal. It tasted good for we were ravishingly hungry. The hot coffee had a pleasant warmth. The soldier is a wonder. He got the fire roaring hot and dried our {F4.35} shoes and socks so we are dry and warm. At 9:30[,] 4 of the 7 Papuans who had left with Leroux arrived from Tombay. They informed us they had slept in Tombay and left early this morning. They carried nothing and could therefore travel fast. They tried to get us to pay them again but we knew Leroux had paid them so we informed them we had no woos. One had two skirts worn by women which Matt was eager to get so he traded a P.A. tin for one of them. They left for Aeimba immediately and should be there this afternoon. They said they would sleep there tonight and return tomorrow with potatoes and go to Tombay with us to get more woos for stone axes, potatoes and other things they will bring. The sun is out this morning and is drying camp somewhat. Some of the carriers should be here tonight if they were available when Leroux arrived. If not, those who return today will arrive tomorrow nite and we will be able to get back Sunday. It will be good to get back. Our food will just about last until then with green bananas to help out. Our pork will be finished today and tomorrow will see the last of the outmeal [sic], our two chief supplies. Dick and his gang should arrive in E.C. late this afternoon. We had pork and boiled green bananas with tea for lunch. The soldier is a good cook. After lunch Matt and I went down to the river and shot some pictures of the gorge and waterfalls upstream. It is a beautiful place. At 3:00[,] 6 Dyaks and 2 convicts arrived with some food for us and the soldier. They were accompanied by 2 convicts. We will be able to leave tomorrow morning. Jordans[’] note said to come today if it was possible but they arrived too late. They had met Dick and his carriers 2 hours from E.C. and Dick wrote all was well but everyone was out of food. The Dyaks report no more rice or food in E.C. High water below is evidently playing hovac [sic] with the transport between Lower Head {F4.36} Camp and Upper Head Camp. It looks bad for there are many men to be fed at E.C. We will probably learn some interesting news when we arrive tomorrow. We had a luxurious dinner of green peas and hotch pot and it was delicious. Gave the remainder of our pork to the soldier for his supply of rice and fish was not abundant and with our new supply of tins we will have sufficient. We, of course, had rain early evening. Tomorrow we leave early for E.C.