THE HUMAN BEAST OF BURDEN. 



287 



on the march they appear to require a great deal of water, and will 

 sooner burden themselves with a gourd fall than go without it for more 

 than two hours at a time. If they go by a road where water is scarce, 

 they generally take a few women or children with them to carry it. 

 When they arrive at a stream all loads are put down, and they bathe, 

 if the water is deep, or sit down and wash themselves, if it be shallow, 



k%!tl 



Fig. 42. 



African carrying-strap. This method of 

 carrying also prevails in northwest 

 United States. 



M. Collected by Capt. Charles 

 U. S. Navy. ) 



Fig. 43. 



Carrying-frame of the Congo, made by braid- 

 ing THE LEAVES OF THE PALM. 



Cat. No. 75708, U. S. N. M. Lnango Coast. West Africa. Col- 

 lected by Museum fur Vblkerkunde, Leipzig, Germany. 



and then take a long drink. The Madis can scarcely be prevailed upon 

 to march at night, even in bright moonlight, on account of bad roads, 

 which is strange, as their eye-sight is remarkably good. Neither will 

 they start until the dew is entirely off the grass, or if made to do so by 

 promises of reward, they tie bunches of grass or skins before them to 

 avoid as much as possible being wetted by the dew. 



In crossing a river of 4 or 5 feet deep they stand in the water in a 

 double row and hand the loads from one to the other. Should the 

 stream be very strong, they break down branches which have broad 

 forks, and placing one end firmly in the bed of the stream lean against 

 the fork, and so get the needed support. They march at a quick pace, 

 but generally halt for ten or twenty minutes after each 3 or 4 miles. 



In carrying the Egyptian post these men make long and quick 



