AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



own carriage. There are of course public cars also, 

 each with its pair of boys to push it; and also a 

 number of rather decrepit rickshaws. As a natural 

 corollary to the passenger traffic, the freighting also 

 is handled by the blacks on large flat trucks with 

 short guiding poles. These men are quite naked 

 save for a small loin cloth, are beautifully shaped, 

 and glisten all over from the perspiration shining 

 in the sun. So fine is the texture of their skins, the 

 softness of their colour, so rippling the play of 

 muscles, that this shining perspiration is like a beau- 

 tiful polish. They push 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 



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