324 THE STORY OF A BIRD LOVER 



These operabouffe methods prevailed in all the 

 farm and household operations. If wood was 

 needed, a boy slowly departed to the forest, and 

 returned dragging a branch behind him, and 

 then, seated on his heels, hacked away with his 

 machete, consuming two or three hours in provid- 

 ing fuel enough for the preparation of one meal. 

 The washing went away each week on the head 

 of the laundress, who carried the clothes to the 

 nearest stream, and there pounded and hatchelled 

 them on the flat rocks, standing often knee-deep 

 in the water. It was not infrequent in crossing a 

 river to see a line of these ebony creatures, clad 

 in scant raiment, chattering and laughing over 

 their work. How the ironing was accomplished 

 remains a mystery. It was certainly of most in- 

 different quality. 



Our table, however lacking in variety, was never 

 in want of charming decorations. Sullivan, our 

 butler, was a genius in producing artistic effects 

 with maiden-hair, the fragrant sprays of stephano- 

 tis, the orange, hibiscus, and plumbago blossoms, 

 or the many other flowers of rare beauty that grew 

 just outside the door. 



My work took up the greater part of each day ; 

 the mornings being largely devoted to collecting 

 expeditions. During the preparation of material, 

 when my hands only were busy, Mrs. Scott 

 read aloud everything of interest we could find 



