I learned afterwards that at
this time we were at least five miles from the answering station. As
soon as communication was thus established the first message was sent
through the air, and it was a moment of extreme suspense for me when
the powerful notes vibrated through the depth of the forest. I shall
never forget this message, not only because it was ethnographically
interesting, but because so much of my happiness depended upon
a favourable reply. I made the operator repeat it for my benefit
when we later returned to our village, and I learned it by heart by
whistling it. When printed it looks like this:
After each message the operator explained its meaning. The purport
of this first message was so important to me that I awaited the
translation with much the same feelings that a prisoner listens for
the verdict of the jury when it files back into the court-room.
Questions and answers now came in rapid succession. "A white man
is coming with us; he seems to have a good heart, and to be of good
character."
Whereupon the deciding answer was translated: "You are all welcome
provided you place your arms in the bottom of the canoe."
Next message: "We ask you to place your arms in the _maloca_; we
are friends.
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