Along the Coast 
inevitable Kroo boys. It is quite impossible 
for boatmen to show more dexterity than 
these half-naked natives did on this occasion. 
There were ten in all. One steered and another 
sat in the prow to direct the rowers by gestures. 
In the midst of the seething, hissing breakers, the 
rowers frequently sat perfectly still with their 
eyes fixed on the man in the prow. Then, at his 
signal, they would dash forward again. If it had 
not been the “dry season,” we would have had 
a much more dangerous time crossing this bar 
and possibly, like hundreds before and since, 
may have found a grave in the sharks. Even 
now, it was very startling to see the great break¬ 
ers suddenly start up before us and then, arching 
their necks, come roaring at us like great monsters. 
15 
