Over the route they return later with large gourds in which they collect the fluid from the clay cups.

The filled gourds they carry to their village of grass huts and there they build their smoky fires of oily palm nuts.

Dipping paddles into the fluid gum they turn and harden it, a coating at a time, in the smoke.

The rubber "biscuit" is cut from the paddle with a wet knife when the desired thickness has been attained.
Goodyear lived for sixteen years after his discovery of the vulcanization process.

During the last six he was unable to walk without crutches.