HOW DEMERARA SUGAR LEAVES HOME 57 



they suddenly come to a standstill in the thick of the 

 fray, and often turn their empty trucks at an angle 

 which is nicely calculated to upset a comrade's loaded 

 one. 



The boys get through much more work under these 

 sporting conditions than they would do if they were 

 subjected to a hard-and-fast discipline whereby they 

 had to wheel backwards and forwards so many trucks 

 per hour. So skilfully do they manipulate the trucks, 

 that in nine cases out of ten they reach the hatches 

 without having a spill. Work does not spoil play, and 

 play does not hinder work ; a spirit of good-nature 

 prevails ; harmless fun is at the bottom of every 

 obstacle-making prank ; and fortunately very few of 

 the collisions have anything but a humorous aspect. 



At each hatch, the sugar-bags are hoisted up in sets 

 of eight by the " whip," a rope sling worked by a 

 winch. To see them being lowered and packed away 

 in their travelling-quarters, you must go on board the 

 steamer. 



Come below, and take a peep into one division of 

 the ship's capacious hold. Deep down in a yawning 

 chasm, two gangs of men are on duty ; they take it 

 in turns to rest and work. The workers let the bags 

 out of the sling, and pack them in neat rows and 

 compact layers. The most popular hand amongst 

 these dock-labourers is the water-boy, for heavy pack- 

 ing within the bowels of a ship is a thirsty job. Over 

 and over again the call of " Water-boy " is repeated 

 in more and more urgent tones, until at' last a little 

 darkie urchin appears, balancing on his head a pail 

 nearly as big as himself. The little imp is famous for 

 getting " lost " during his numerous daily journeys to 



8 



