Wednesday
October 27
1928 [sic, = 1926]

The first of Leroux’[s] transport dribbled in shortly before noon and at one o’clock Leroux appeared and then came Saleh. They had wonderful reports of great success in mapping large sections of the unknown territory from the top of the next ridge to which they had gone. The niew [sic] from this top of the Snow Mountains was an excellent one. It was about seven miles from here and from that point about fifty kilometers to the Snow but four large ranges had to be crossed[;] it would be at least a two months trip. The view Leroux reported was excellent in all directions. They could see the Lake Plane [sic] and the houses at Motor Camp and at night the lights at Motor Camp were visible. It will be a good view for the telephoto lens of the moving picture camera and if Dick is lucky to get it clear it will make an excellent view in all directions. The snow is in a large area and the Carsten[s]z top is for miles a perpendicular wall of solid rock for some distance which makes it almost impossible to climb without Alpine equipment. It is the same on both sides for Wallaston reports that it was the same on the south side. The coloring of the various shades of sunlight on the snow tops is excellent to view[,] Leroux reports, and many people can be seen in the vicinity of Agentuawa and other ranges, for the gardens are quite numerous. This is especially true of the Doorman top. Leroux had two pygmies for guides which he brought from Damoonrau and he not only get [sic] the names of all the tops as named by the people in this vicinity, but the names of the villages which were observed as well. It is strange that this is the first time such Data has been recorded for on the maps of New Guinea there is not one native name. It is names supplies [sic] by the Dutch. Leroux also said that he had met Dick and Jordans at Damanoorue. Leroux escaped very luckily from serious injury when he was coming down from the top for he had followed a pygmy who had jumped down on {F4.68} some moss and fallen twigs and leaves. The pygmy made it successfully but when Leroux had followed[,] the footing gave way and he fell about eight meters landing on the trail below which circled downward. He caught a few small roots and held on. If he had not caught hold there he would have tumbled on down to certain death. He turned three complete somersaults in his nose dive and came out of it with only a few strained ligaments in his neck and shoulders. It was miraculously a narrow escape from death and how he kept from breaking a few bones will long remain among the unexplained mysteries of New Guinea of which they are a few. After Saleh arrived he got out his sketches and maps and a glance showed that they had done some real typographical [sic, = topographical] work and that it would mean considerable to the results of this expedition, for up to this time nothing startling has been accomplished in mapping a large section of unexplored country and that is what shows when the final results of an expedition is [sic] checked up. Of course one flight in the plane would have given more than could be seen from four or five expeditions of a year duration each but they overlooked that important factor in the beginning of the expedition. We had quite a reunion during the afternoon and sat and listened to the wonders of the view which Leroux was anxious that we too see before leaving. It would be nice if we could but the time if [sic, = is] getting short and we are hoping that Dick will get a good movie of it which will be next best. I also had discussed the radio censorship with Van Leeuwen in the morning. He admitted he had given the order and that it was merely for control as nothing would be changed and that everything would be sent. I told him it was insulting for I had never sent a message without first showing it to either him or Leroux. He as usual could not agree that it was insulting and said that I always took the wrong viewpoint of such matters. We will leave that {F4.69} to the committee to decide. It was a friendly discussion. Van [Leeuwen] is very friendly and anxious to please now and has visited with us more since his return than all during the expedition. He also has commenced to order Capt. P. [Captain Posthumus] to do this and that and is taking his perogative [sic] as a leader, which has been sadly lacking up to date. Leroux also said that when Matt had sent his telegram re leadership, the committee wired Van [Leeuwen] immediately asking to know the whys and wherefors [sic]. Of course Van colored it to suit himself so the committee had nothing to do. Van also admitted he had seen the telegram of P. to his commander in chief[,] in which he said it was a comouflage [sic] expedition and a film humbug. That’s interesting to note for he said nothing to us about it until now. If he had been fair he would have informed us about it so we could also wire somebody to the [sic] counteract the harm it would do. That is why he put in his censorship order but he couldn’t give us the same opportunity earlier in the game which certainly is not representing the attitude of the Indian committee whom he represents. Van has many interesting pictures which he has taken of the vegetation at higher altitudes and showed them to us. We can get copies he says. He is a good photographer and develops his films exceedingly well. We worked with the pygmies late in the afternoon and learned many things regarding their relations. Leroux also has many things down in this note book [sic, = his notebook] regarding them. One of Leroux’[s] chaps who is a native of Tombe and who accompanied him when he came to visit us at Agentuawa (the chap who stayed behind to bring potatoes according to Igoone) is according to Leroux quite a ladies man. He confided to us confidentially he wanted a wife but needed a large parange [sic] and some cowries before he could get her. He also confessed to having had a girl friend at Agentuawa and stayed with her instead of coming back when we left. He has another girl {F4.70} in Ohaboo and has a boy by her. As soon as he gets a knive [sic] and cowries he is going to marry her. He is somewhat of a rounder and goes all over the mountains here. He proved to be a very good guide for Leroux. Igoone came around with a piece [sic] offering of potatoes because he felt Leroux was angry with him for not going. He said it was too cold on top and that he stayed behind with us. They know this country well for he told of how to get to the Swartz Valley which is a long way from here but they know it to the most minute detail. He also described accurately the snow and what Leroux saw from the top he had visited. A moo go meg a way is the shiek [sic] of the pygmies (Leroux guide)[;] when they came through damoonarue Leroux induced him to show him where the graves of the pygmies were located and he took him a short distance outside the village. He is the only man who has consented to do that. The burial place is entirely neglected and not the least bit noticeable. They evidently neglect it from the appearances and after burial pay no more attention to the dead. It might be possible to collect a few skulls.