The erect carriage and steady swift walk of the women who bear burdens
is especially likely to impress the artistic observer: it is the sight
of such passers-by which gives, above all, the antique tone and color to
his first sensations;--and the larger part of the female population of
mixed race are practised carriers. Nearly all the transportation of
light merchandise, as well as of meats, fruits, vegetables, and food
stuffs,--to and from the interior,--is effected upon human heads. At
some of the ports the regular local packets are loaded and unloaded by
women and girls,--able to carry any trunk or box to its destination. At
Fort-de-France the great steamers of the Compagnie Générale
Transatlantique, are entirely coaled by women, who carry the coal on
their heads, singing as they come and go in processions of hundreds; and
the work is done with incredible rapidity. Now, the creole _porteuse_,
or female carrier, is certainly one of the most remarkable physical
types in the world; and whatever artistic enthusiasm her graceful port,
lithe walk, or half-savage beauty may inspire you with, you can form no
idea, if a total stranger, what a really wonderful being she is.... Let
me tell you something about that highest type of professional female
carrier, which is to the _charbonnière_, or coaling-girl, what the
thorough-bred racer is to the draught-horse,--the type of porteuse
selected for swiftness and endurance to distribute goods in the interior
parishes, or to sell on commission at long distances. To the same class
naturally belong those country carriers able to act as porteuses of
plantation produce, fruits, or vegetables,--between the nearer ports and
their own interior parishes.... Those who believe that great physical
endurance and physical energy cannot exist in the tropics do not know
the creole carrier-girl.