1871        King, Rev. F. "In the Bahamas." _Mission Life_ (1 June 1871). 309-13.

On Abaco.
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"There are large sugar cultivations on the mainland," writes Mr. Philpot from Abaco, "and the fields of waving cane, with their delicate green leaves and golden tassels, look very pretty, especially when they relieve a dark background of sombre pine-wood. A windmill crushes the cane, and when wind fails, manual labour is called in—a number of negroes turning the windlass to the wild chaunts of their own country."
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On Bimini. A "hilo" song while working cargo.
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Shocking as it may seem to our notions, the main source of wealth and employment to the Bahama islander used in former times to consist in "wrecking." Wrecks then were more often designed than accidental, and the goods rescued from the ship were bought at a nominal sum, and sold afterwards by the wreckers at a considerable profit in Nassau. …

"When the ship is above water, the work is pleasant enough. Blocks and ropes are fixed, hatchways opened, and sturdy arms at work, while strong lungs shout the wrecking songs—

'High low, high low,
Johnny come blow the organ! 

Walk him up and walk him down, 

High low, high low!'

and the cotton-bales and sugar-boxes seem to fly into the boats. But when it is a sunken wreck, and the goods have to be dived for out of the hold, then comes the danger. The diver descends into the ship with a line tied round him, which he jerks when he wishes to ascend. Woe betide him if he gets entangled in the ship's hold and cannot come out! and this is not seldom the case."
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