78 AFRICAN CAMP FIRES. 



from behind, slowly and steadily, and patiently 

 and unwaveringly, the most tremendous loads of 

 the heaviest stuffs. When the hill becomes too 

 steep for them, they turn their backs against the 

 truck ; and by placing one foot behind the other, 

 a few inches at a time, they edge their burden 

 up the slope. 



The steering is done by one man at the pole or 

 tongue in front. This individual also sets the key 

 to the song by which in Africa all heavy labour is 

 carried forward. He cries his wavering shrill- 

 voiced chant ; the toilers utter antiphony in low 

 gruff tones. At a distance one hears only the 

 wild high syncopated chanting ; but as the affair 

 draws slowly nearer, he catches the undertone of 

 the responses. These latter are cast in the regular 

 swing and rhythm of effort ; but the steersman 

 throws in his bit at odd and irregular intervals. 

 Thus: 



Headman (shrill) : " Hay, ah mon ! " 



Pushers (gruff in rhythm) : " Tunk ! tunk ! 

 tunk ! " or : 



Headman (and wavering minor chant) : " Ah 

 nah nee e-e-e ! " 



Pushers (undertone) : " Umbwa jo-e ! Um- 

 bwa jo e ! " 



These wild and barbaric chantings in the 



