THE DANCE OF THE MANTAS 217 



pelicans, storks, boobies, terns and tropic birds were on the 

 beach resting after their long trip. 



Spring had arrived on land and perhaps in the sea too. 



We did not yet know it, but something was happening in 

 that great calm sea. 



Cecco went down to the sea and stood in the water. Then he 

 went to the boat and pushed it on to the water. I followed 

 him, filled the tank and sat at the tiller while he got the 

 harpoon. He called to Tesfankièl: 



^Coming? It's calm to-day. You won't be sick.' 



* Where are you going?' 



*Don't know. Around the island. Coming, yes or no ?' 



'Yes.' 



Cecco jumped into the bows and gave the away. 



'Where do you want to go?' I asked. 



'Further out.' 



'Why?' 



'Because this green water irritates me.' 



'Shark water, eh ?' 



He smiled. It could be. 



It was 5 p.m. and there was a March sunset in the sky. 

 Against this background of the changing colours of the sea 

 and sky we had already noticed five mantas leaping out of 

 the sea. In the past days we had noticed little mantas 

 shooting out of the sea at several points. They did three or 

 four head-over-heels, up to twelve feet into the air, and then 

 fell back flat into the water with a plop. 



Toomai of the elephants saw a night dance of monsters 

 'in the heart of the hills of the Garo'. We were now going to 

 see another dance in the abysses of Dur Ghella. 



The first big manta we saw was on its own. Tesfankièl 



