Martin of Nitendi and the River of Dreams

Under the shade of the nine cocos we made our camp, and old Sru and the / women and children at once set to work to build a "house" to protect us / in case it rained during the nights. Very quickly was the house built. / The "devil" was sent up the cocos to lop off branches, which, as they / fell, were woven into thatch by the deft, eager hands of the women, who / were supervised by Sivi, Nalik's handsome wife, amid much chatter and / laughter, each one trying to outvie the other in speed, and all anxious / to follow Nalik and myself to the river.

The place was well chosen. For nearly a hundred yards there was a clear / stretch of water flowing between low, grassy banks on which were growing / a few scattered pandanus-palms -- the screw pine. Half a mile distant, a / jagged, irregular mountain-peak raised high its emerald-hued head in the / clear sunshine, and from every lofty tree on both sides of the stream / there came the continuous call of the gentle wood-doves and the great / grey pigeons.