30 



n 



upon the trucks^ which is done by means of a temporary 

 platform laid from the edge of the truck to a sufficient di- 

 stance upon the ground^ so as to make an inclined plane, 

 upon which the log is gradually pushed up from each end 

 alternately. Having completed their work of loading all the 

 trucks^ which may be done in three hours^ they again retire to 

 rest till about 9 o'clock next morning. The drivers now set 

 out on their return^ but their progress is considerably retard- 

 ed by the lading; and although well provided with torch 

 lights they are frequently impeded by small stumps that re- 

 main in the road^ and which would be easily avoided in day- 



I 



light ; they, however, are in general all out at the river side 

 by 1 1 o'clock next morning ; when^, after throwing the logs 

 into the river, having previously marked them on each end 

 with the owner's initials, the cattle are fed, the drivers hrcak- m 

 fast, and retire to rest until about sunset, when they feed the 

 cattle a second time, and yoke in again. 



Thus goes on the routine of trucking during the season, 



r 



the loaders being employed in the interim preparing the logs 



m 



for the return of the trucks. 



Nothing can present a more extraordinary spectacle than 

 this process of trucking or drawing down the mahogany to 

 the river. The six trucks will occupy an extent of road of 

 a quarter of a mile, — the great number of oxen, the drivers 

 half naked, (clothes being inconvenient from the heat of the 

 weather and clouds of dust,) and each bearing a lighted torch ; 

 the wildness of the forest scenery, the rattling of chains, the 

 sound of the whip echoing through the woods : then all this 

 activity and exertion, so ill corresponding with the still hour 

 of midnight, makes it wear more the appearance of some 

 theatrical exhibition than what it really is, — ^the pursuit of 

 industry which has fallen to the lot of the Honduras wood- 

 cutter. 



About the end of May the periodical rains again com- 



