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[Page 23]
Solomon Isdrs. On altar under glass is a tiny piece of the mat in wh. The body of Coleridge Patterson was wrapped after his murder. Everything in perfect taste. Visited Sol. Isdr chief, Fipe. House like inside of a great barn. Women's qrs on right, men on left. Grass mats on floor. All natives fine physical specimens, women so plump & cared for. Introduced as "missionary big battle ship". They grinned a huge welcome. Chief gave me wooden pillow, very quaint & a fly whisk of cocoanut fibre. I paid him. We talked in pidgin English & when at leaving I said some native wds, niggers rocked with laughter & shook hands, the women also who were as shy as school girls. Awfully funny.
Landed 3 or 4 times. Visited Club, Grand Pacific Hotel, & two or three long walks in the country. Lovely place. For nine mos of the yr good place to live in. Natives made ship huge gift of bananas & sang old battle songs for our benefit.