UNDER SEA WITH HELMET AND CAMERA 



and did some trolling. I had done little southern fishing and always 

 expected each catch to be something new. A Mutton fish and a Jew fish 

 rewarded our first efforts, so I was not disappointed. 



We anchored in the late afternoon off Coakley Town. The shore did 

 not look inviting for bathing so we enjoyed a swim by diving overboard. 

 Nearby, also at anchor, was a fine schooner. She looked like a yacht but, 

 though well kept, showed by absence of cushions, awnings and other 

 luxuries that she went forth on serious occasions and not at the whim of 

 the owner. We wondered why such an important looking vessel was 

 anchored off the tiny village. 



Our arrival had been seen by the villagers, and presently we saw some 

 small boats putting off. They were the most dilapidated looking craft I 

 ever saw. The one which first approached us contained three negroes, a 

 man and two women. The sail was made of scraps of material sewed to- 

 gether, grain sacks and burlap. One of the women was steering, the other 

 baihng steadily to keep afloat, and the man was standing before the mast 

 holding a Uve chicken. He said, "Captain, yo' don't want no chicken, no 

 eggs?". There were offerings from other boats, mostly specimens of coral 

 or shells. The question was always put in the negative. This is an odd 

 example of a characteristic of the African that I have often noticed. He 

 avoids disagreeing or being disagreed with. 



We went ashore while the meal was being prepared, finding this con- 

 venient for our crew. A group of children was awaiting us and followed, 

 exhibiting much curiosity. No doubt a visit of white persons to their 

 village is an event. About a dozen houses were visible. There were more, 

 we observed later, concealed in the bush. We made our way towards a 

 church, crudely constructed, not unlike the negro meeting houses one 

 finds through the South Atlantic States. I went inside and was followed 

 by one of the children, a girl older than the rest. The interior was a surprise. 

 Its appearance of order and cleanliness and its decorations, though rather 



Do] 



