"By Aeroplane to Pygmyland" Accounts of the 1926 Smithsonian-Dutch Expedition to New Guinea

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Journal of Stanley Hedberg
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August 6, 1926 : Rouffaer River ; Motor Camp


Friday
August 6th
1926

Higher and higher comes the water. But we are still dry although not so far from it a matter of an inch or so from our floor. It rained heavily during the entire evening. I forgot to mention also that {F3.18} the food tins which we had to leave behind at albatros camp was [sic, = were] not in the transport although Van Leeuwen and everybody else has [sic, = have] their little essentials such as milk chocolate and sugar which we have been without since leaving Batavia Camp. Posthumus guaranteed us it would be up on the next transport but it wasn’t although Van Leeuwen had tables [and] chairs in addition to a good amount of his newspapers, alcohol and other parts of his equipment. It seems as though they are trying to starve us out so that we will get disgusted and quit possibly. However, we can live on rice and deng deng and can go without even the little comforts such as milk and sugar. The hard part of it is that we are paying for half of the 40 dyaks and Doc has volunteered to pay five thousand guilders on the other sixty that came. We get practically no use of them but the others have no difficulty at all. If the plane was not out it would be different but we are dependent on them now and they are taking advantage of it. Good sports they sure are NOT. We don’t expect them to be generous hosts but we surely have every right to expect a square deal and get a run for our money. Becker left this morning in the motor boat. He is going direct[ly] to Albatros camp for his work here is finished. Doc [sic, = Dot] came up to relieve him. We didn’t have time to get all of the mail answered but did send back two with him in case the next transport does not arrive in time to get the boat – the Swallow – which is coming the twenty third of August. Van Leeuven also told me this morning that the letter we had given to Becker for Prince on the last transport was lost by the army sergeant at Batavia Camp. It is a funny coincidence that it could be lost and that we are always the ones to fail to receive telegrams and letters. Did not have an opportunity of talking to Becker about it. There was nothing of importance in it however except telling him about sending the food up on the coming transports. The Dyaks built a small canoe and it is being used as a {F3.19} ferry around the camp. It isa [sic] dainty little affair perfectly balanced and holds two people. Dick got pictures of it. The water rising slowly due to continual rain is making our position precarious. The magazine was under water and they built another one much higher for they have plenty of help. It should have been done before for it would have saved considerable amount of food from getting soaked. We can fish from in front of our house now and all we have to do to wash our hands and face is to do it any place around the house. The current is moving swiftly underneath our beds about three miles an hour. The camp sights are interesting and we have taken many pictures. As has been the case the last several days we have spent today in the clambo reading. It is fortunate we have so much new reading material for the time would hang heavy on our hands with this high water and no place to move about.




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