ADVENT URES IN THE MAHOGANY FORESTS 



tion on the truck, care being taken to see that it is 

 properly balanced. When once the log is on the truck, 

 it is a comparatively easy matter to run it to the water- 

 side. In places where the banks of the river are steep, 

 the log is tilted oflF the truck, and allowed to plunge 

 down the slip way into the water below. It is a grand 

 sight to witness a big log taking the water. The one 

 recorded by my kodak was only of medium size, weigh- 

 ing perhaps six or seven tons, but even this has made a 

 big splash. 



With regard to the labourers employed in the conces- 

 sion, many of them come from the surrounding villages. 

 But often they will travel a distance of forty or fifty 

 miles and take up their abode for a period of four months 

 in the forest camp. Some stay on or return year after 

 year, but the usual contract of service is for four months. 

 Each week they draw sustenance money and their main 

 wage accumulates and is paid at the completion of their 

 work. The men work in gangs and choose their own 

 foreman or supervisor who is generally a great wag. He 

 does little or no work himself, but laughs and jokes and 

 leads the song and dance. He is, of course, the most 

 important man and no gang would be complete without 

 a cheery leader. 



When a new concession is opened the first thing to 

 do is to issue tools. Each man is supplied with an Ameri- 

 can axe weighing about five pounds, and a native 

 matchet. The camp is then constructed. Simple huts 



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