WASHING-DAY. 
135 
both* It had evidently descended to the present 
wearers from some passing vessel where theatri- 
cal entertainments had been whiling the tedium 
of a voyage, for the coat had a blue tail and a 
red, and the trousers one leg of green and the 
other of yellow. Somehow the man with the 
trousers looked much better clad than the 
man with the coat; These garments formed 
doubtless the entire wardrobe of the village, 
accumulated during who knows how many 
generations. 
A cool breeze prevailed during our stay at 
Aru, and on the afternoon of the second day a 
tropical downpour fell, giving us another oppor- 
tunity of witnessing what is always an amusing 
scene. The sailors take advantage of the occa- 
sion to enjoy a freshwater bath and wash their 
clothes. Perching ourselves on the roof of the 
cabin, as the driest spot available, but where a 
fine drizzle came through even double awnings, 
we watched the busy and delighted company as 
they made themselves a shower-bath by jump- 
ing up and seizing the edge of the awning, thus 
bringing down upon themselves a copious deluge 
of water. They lustily rub the garments they 
wear, thus at the same time cleansing both their 
bodies and their garments. All drenched and 
