Page 81 - 1923 VES Meteor

TnE )h:n.on l2i
the s(·nmp nuly mnde him double his :;peed as he disuppenrcd hc·hincl the knrcs of yonr nearest 11cighhor.
The ('Clll<'r uf iHterest nnd li~ht was the two tall glowing stacks of a l'i,·cr· stcnmer. From their funneled tops a stream lof f;pllrk:.' rn~l1('(l l1i~h in the Hir, lightiug the upturned fac('S (of the expcctu11t throng.
The hoat it;~elf was in a tur111oil of exeitcmeut. :Men rushed on 011d ofT, barrels and cn:;ks of oil were rolled on hourd, great hogsheads of meat filled the decks. In an en- closnre at the rE'Hr were bushels of pine knots. Shrill whistles hlcw, hoarl!e \'oices bawled out orders, ropei creaked, negroes dashed watt•r on the smoulderi11g wood around the funnels, men greased the great side wheels.
Benentlr the d('{'kS the work was e,·en more strenuous. Rare shouldet·s gleamed and sleek brown backs bentnud sho,·ed and tugged and straightened. Men, weadng only shoes und trousers, f<.'