AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



faint rattling, that each moment increased in loud- 

 ness. Shortly came into view along the narrow 

 tracks a most extraordinary vehicle. It was a 

 small square platform on wheels across which ran a 

 bench seat, and over which spread a canopy. It 

 carried also a dim lantern. This rumbled up to us 

 and stopped. From its stern hopped two black boys. 

 Obeying a smiling invitation, we took our places on 

 the bench. The two boys immediately set to push- 

 ing us along the narrow track. 



We were off at an astonishing speed through the 

 darkness. The night was deliciously tepid; and, 

 as I have said, absolutely dark. We made out the 

 tops of palms and the dim loom of great spreading 

 trees, and could smell sweet, soft odours. The bare- 

 headed, lightly clad boys pattered alongside whenever 

 the grade was easy, one hand resting against the rail; 

 or pushed mightily up little hills; or clung alongside 

 like monkeys while we rattled and swooped and 

 plunged down hill into the darkness. Subsequently 

 we learned that a huge flat beam projecting amid- 

 ships from beneath the seat operated a brake which 

 we above were supposed to manipulate; but being 

 quite ignorant as to the ethics and mechanics of this 

 strange street-car system, we swung and swayed at 

 times quite breathlessly. 



After about fifteen minutes we began to pick up 



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