220 DAHLAK 



The detachment of little mantas, always in pairs, crossed 

 us five or six times. They travelled straight to the west, 

 towards the last glimmers of light and then were lost in the 

 darkness. 



I dried my face and turned to Cecco. 'It's the parturition 

 of the mantas. They were turning over in circles to help 

 themselves. Then the young ones collect and set off together. 

 Look ! Only half of them are still here. The rest have had 

 their offspring and are away. It seems that they abandon 

 them straight away. I wonder where they are all off to.' 



Cecco looked out from the bows. The sea was black and 

 the bellies of the mantas that were still turning over were 

 unexpected ghosts in the gloom. 



Gradually the waters calmed and the dance ended. The 

 sky was now clear and the first stars had come out. 



Cecco sat down on the bottom of the boat and looked for 

 a cigarette. He found the packet but it was soaked. I had 

 not got any. 



'Cigarettes, Tesfankièl?* 



Tesfankièl had a look through his pockets and shook his 

 head. 'Kalàs.' 



'I was thinking about . . .' 



'Toomai of the elephants,' I said. 



Cecco smiled and nodded. 



Tt's a pity Gigi wasn't here,' I said. 



*At least, he'd have had a cigarette.' 



'We'll have to tell him about it.' 



A flight of birds flew over us in the darkness. They were 

 flying strongly towards the west. I started the motor, turned 

 the boat to the east and we made for home. 



