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FIRE IN THE EARTH
There
they cook their native meals. There, on festal days^ you can see the
tribal dances, with a great flourishing of? spears, bright blankets,
shields, and ostrich-plumes. Each boy agrees to work for the company for a set period of time, 1 usually six months. During that time he works eight hours; a day, six days a week. He spends all his leisure time in the" compound, where the company provides every possible conw fort necessary to clean, healthy living. Some compounds even include swimming pools.
But
the boys must be guarded. They have been known to steal diamonds in
every way under the sun. "Swallowing" was a favorite trick in the past.
One boy, many years ago, went to his "baas," complaining of a
stomach-ache, and an operation brought forth < six diamonds weighing
several carats. Others have cut themselves in the leg or arm, thrust a
diamond in the wound and bound it up, not realizing the wound would
fester. With diamonds in their hair, in their ears, between their toes
or under the tongue, scores of boys were caught in the early days,
trying to smuggle them out for sale to illicit diamond buyers (known in
South Africa as "LDJB.'s").
At
the end of the term each boy is kept in "detention quarters" for a week
before being released. His effects are carefully searched and he is
subjected to a thorough physical examination. The X ray even is used to
detect stones concealed in his body. The diamond, though "transparent"
to the rays when compared with other stones, shows up well in the body
tissue. Stealing, however, is no longer common. The company pays a
bonus to each boy who turns in a diamond of substantial size. Thosd
caught stealing must work as convicts for several months without pay.
The diamond is a hard taskmaster. It also has its rewards.
(36)
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