96 ©ostelsia 



There being no wharfs excepting at 

 a few of the larger ports, in order to 

 go ashore at some places, we were 

 lowered from the steamer's side into 

 a row boat, manned by two or three 

 negroes and used for bringing bananas 

 to the vessel, the waves tossing the 

 boat so violently that we had to be 

 skilfully caught by the boatmen as 

 though we were bunches of bananas. 

 After rowing as near the shore as 

 possible, we were again taken in the 

 negroes' arms and carried through the 

 shallow water to dry land. These 

 dark stevedores were most picturesque 

 creatures; they were invariably clothed 

 in rags, tied and fastened on in most 

 ingenious ways. Patches of all hues 

 and shapes were attached here and 

 there among the tatters. Their head- 

 gear also was particularly interesting. 

 Gaudy bandanas, straw and felt hats 



