Monday
October 25
1926

Today should prove to be an interesting day for Van Leeuwen is scheduled back and a transport is due from Head Camp. The transport {F4.60} might have the mail which arrived at Albatros Camp October first. The Pygmies were on hand early[,] eager for trading operations to commence and as soon as Matt had his breakfast he was engaged. The material is still running good. Our star actor was on hand early and informed us that he had used his shell neck ornament in the picture yesterday and had put it back in the bag with the material Matt had furnished him to use as illustrations and that it was his. We had not bought it. In fact he doesn’t want to sell it. We dug it up and returned the article which made a great hit with our friends for he was uncertain whether or not he could make us understand it was his and had not been traded. He was tickeled [sic] with it and quickly fastened it in its accustomed place about his neck. They seem to value those color ornaments highly. It must be a sentimental reason for most of them wear them and they are all old and show signs of having been worn for a considerable length of time. The pictures in the magazines were gone over again. The colors such as bright red and yellow or blue were [sic] they are solid always get a rise out of them no matter what the subject matter happens to be. They finger the borders with interest and use their fingers to feel of the solid colors. And how they talk about it. I was oiling the typewriter this morning and as some of it got on my fingers I wiped it off on my pants in the vicinity of my knees (one does those things in New Guinea) and immediately started to work pounding the keys. I wrote somewhat faster and they got the idea that the oil limbered up my fingers as well as the maching [sic] and all wanted some on their joints which I applied. They then worked their arms[,] legs[,] and fingers up and down[,] the older men being especially anxious to receive their allotment to limber up their aged bones. Their closely woven arm bracelets of rattan serve as their cigarettes holders. They always have a half smoked cigarette or two stuck in their arm bracelets and when traveling pick a green mint like smelling leaf and stick that {F4.61} in also. The red tin foil of the film pack wrapping is also carried in that manner. After trading with Matt and receiving a good quantity of cowries they always make him a present of either [of] their small arm ornaments, they have two sorts, one is a heavy large one which they wear four or five on each arm. They generally have one or two smaller ones finer woven on each arm above the elbow[;] in these they carry their cigaretts [sic] and mint leaves. The transport from Head Camp arrived at about ten thirty and shortly thereafter the first of Van Leeuwen’s came in from the Atas. There were thirteen in the transport from Head Camp. A note from Hamer said he was sending one thousand feet of moving picture film and some food. Sugar, jam, milk and some fruit salad sure did look good in the tins. The extra thousand feet of film came in handy also for we only had one thousand of panchromatic left. Prince said that he had learned from the doctor that he could come up on the next transport and we should see him in about three days. It will be good to see him again. He says he has entirely recovered from the fever and feels fine. We also received a large tin of trade goods including beads which were a bliss. A large bundle of red cloth caught the pygmies[’] eyes as Doc lifted it out of the tin and they gathered around[,] men and women[,] to admire its flaming red. Got several good stills of it and will get movies later. Anything red catches their eye immediately. Doc gave out a few shreads [sic] of it as presents to the women. Ten large parangs also arrived and the pygmies have promised to bring a large pig for one. Since we have been out of them there have been several requests for parangs. We could not fill these and now that they are here they will bring anything for one. They have been scarce. Anything that is scarce and useable is valuable in their eyes. Matt declared we have enough trade goods now to buy the Nassau Mountains and we have. We are smacking our lips in anticipation of the lunch, we are to have with milk and sugar in tea {F4.62} and some jam on the potatoes (Igoone came over with another small bundle this morning) tomatoe [sic] soup and rice. That’s food fit for a king. It was a busy morning and more excitement in camp than we have seen for a few days. Igoone and the regulars greeted the transport affectionately while the new folks stood back looking on with interest, but a little uncertain as to the advisability of getting too close to the big husky Dyaks, with their knives strapped around their waists. They set their heavy loads down and a few of them ventured over to lift or try to lift the load would be better. They couldn’t of course and the look of amazement and surprise that they registered was interesting to see. The natives are not very strong and cannot carry anything heavy. The women folks, however, are used to carrying heavy loads of potatoes and firewood with the result that the men are not in training. The trive [sic, = tribe] from Agentuawa has not appeared since our visit and I don’t suppose they will for our relations on both sides was not anything friendly when we left. They probably know that we resented their threat and are afraid to come down, then too[,] they and Igoone do not seem to be exceedingly friendly either. Those who acted as carriers for us left early the next morning after their arrival late in the afternoon the day before. We had a good lunch. Van [Leeuwen] arrived and we had a short discussion with him. It turned out that he didn’t have any objection to the trip of Peck’s to the mountain when we told him it was at the request of Mr. Leroux. He said he had no objections when it was put up to him direct[ly]. After lunch we got Igoone and two women and a baby and Igoone’s daughter and most of the men folks and went into the garden to get a garden scene. The women did their work gathering potatoes and potatoe [sic] greens while the men sat by and watched. Good several hundred feet of garden stuff, with a close of [sic, = up] of two pygmy men chewing bettle [sic] nut, lime and cinnamon bark as the women worked. {F4.63} It was a hot afternoon and difficult to get them to move out of the shade. The women, however, are used to working and they were rewarded for their efforts by two good knives. That got the men folks interested and they also wanted to get into the pictures. They are a funny lot. When we returned to the village we caught an old woman coming in under a heavy load of chord [sic] wood for the evening’s fire. We got some movies and stills of her[;] it was a heavy load for we lifted it. She was exceedingly old too but carried it over her head very well once she got it off the ground. It was necessary for her to do it several times but she did it without any protest. The men stood around and talked loudly as we changed her from this spot to that to get the best lighting effects. Their laughing made her laugh so it had to be done over again especially when Igoone insisted in walking into the picture wearing the new hat the soldier had given him. The best of the afternoon was spent when we returned and they arrived just before dinner to do some more trading. Late in the afternoon seems to be the best trading time and early in the morning second. They stay out of the heat of the sun most of the day. It rained towards dusk and they all gathered under our leanto. I have been teaching Igoone the Please play for me Toodle Dee Doo song and he has picked it up remarkably well. They brought their rations of potatoes with them and received their beads. During the evening meal they stand around and watch us eat with interest. Sometimes they almost crowd us off the table[,] so interested are they in watching us eat and the various things we do eat. It is all strange and funny to them. It is interesting to watch them watch us with interest (if that makes any sinse [sic])[.] Dick and Jordans are to leave tomorrow morning for a six or seven day trip to the top of the range where Leroux and Saleh are to get a picture (movie of the snow mountains)[.] {F4.64}