AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



Two barges were moored alongside. Two blazing 

 braziers lighted them with weird red and flickering 

 flames. In their depths, cast in black and red 

 shadows, toiled half-guessed figures; from their 

 depths, mounting a single steep plank, came an 

 unbroken procession of natives, naked save for a 

 wisp of cloth around the loins. They trod closely 

 on each other's heels, carrying each his basket atop 

 his head or on one shoulder, mounted a gangplank, 

 discharged their loads into the side of the ship, and 

 descended again to the depths by way of another 

 plank. The lights flickered across their dark faces, 

 their gleaming teeth and eyes. Somehow the work 

 demanded a heap of screeching, shouting, and gestic- 

 ulation; but somehow also it went forward rapidly. 

 Dozens of unattached natives lounged about the 

 gunwales with apparently nothing to do but to look 

 picturesque. Shore boats moved into the narrow 

 circle of light, drifted to our gangway and dis- 

 charged huge crates of vegetables, sacks of unknown 

 stuffs, and returning passengers. A vigilant police 

 boat hovered near to settle disputes, generally with 

 the blade of an oar. For a long time we leaned over 

 the rail watching them, and the various reflected 

 lights in the water, and the very clear, unwavering 

 stars. Then, the coaling finished, and the portholes 

 once more opened, we turned in. 



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