A TRIP "ABACK" 



33 



to left, watching the panorama that is gliding past. A 

 stretch of green grass, whereon cows and sheep are con- 

 tentedly grazing, carries you back to Enghsh meadow- 

 lands in the Fen District ; a moment later comes an 

 expanse of virgin Bush, thick set with scrub and trecR 

 that are knotted into an impenetrable tangle by endless 

 twistings and turnings of gaily flowering creepers ; next 

 pass in broken procession stately palms waving their 

 feathers aloft in the gentle breeze, clusters of wild 

 bananas, arrays of strange shrubs, displays of strange 

 fruit, and patches of barren wastes ; and through all 

 the scenes, ever and anon flit birds of brilliant plumage, 

 and mammoth butterflies whose gorgeous wings have 

 been steeped in the magic colours of the tropical wilds. 



As we near a primitive wooden bridge, the mule is 

 unhitched, and by the help of the bank the helmsman 

 steers us under the rafters and sharp round a corner. 

 The while the beastie is being relinked to the boat, we 

 scramble on to the roof of the hut, from which vantage- 

 ground we can get a wide view of our surroundings. 



We are now in the right of the plantation's two 

 main navigation trenches, which run parallel, but are 

 separated by a broad tow-path. We have struck the 

 cane-lands. As far as the eye can reach to take a 

 sweeping glance over the low-lying landscape, lo and 

 behold there is an arena which seems entirely given 

 up to a magnificent show of green leaves But know- 

 ing what you already do about sugar-canes, your 

 imagination quickly transforms this restful-hued but 

 deserted-looking panorama into a scene richly endowed 

 with colour, and permeated with the drowsy hum of 

 life. Look at the standard canes close at hand, along- 

 side the dam ; their decorative staffs are plainly visible 



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