Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/311

 the water at the rate of twelve miles an hour. Instead of the uncomfortable benches of our present boats, there were neatly upholstered chairs. Each chair was provided with an adjustable awning, and turned freely on a pivot in the deck. The steering and control of the motive-power were effected by means of a simple apparatus similar to the tiller of a curricle.

Hulmar managed the craft, while Reva and I imparted to each other our knowledge in respect to the various points of interest as we passed them. To me, with the exception of the river and the outlines of the hills, some peculiar change seemed to have passed over every thing. Not only were there villages where now there is naught but rock and shaggy wood: the very hills were cultivated to their summits. In the steepest spots were what seemed to be vineyards or orchards. To me it sounded like a joke to find myself obliged to ask the names of those villages that appeared to have sprung up in a night on the bank of the stream so familiar from boyhood.

Reva, again, could not get over her surprise at finding me better acquainted with the river, in certain respects, than herself, able to anticipate and recognize every reach and headland. She laughed at her own attempts to pronounce after me the ancient names, that sounded so uncouth to her ears.

"How lavish of breath you must have been in those old times!" laughed she, after several vain attempts to pronounce after me the name "West Point," with its superabundance of consonants. I was obliged to admit that "Uespa" was both easier to pronounce and more pleasing to the ear. We halted at Uespa for about an hour.