Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/44

 scending an incline, a resemblance furthered by the shape of the tiller by which they guided their machines. But here the strange spectacle was to be seen of wagons running up acclivities without any visible motive-power.

A gesture from one of these drivers made Utis turn his curricle aside between two trees,—the usual halting-place. After exchanging a few words with the stranger, a man of noble appearance, with grizzled though abundant locks, Utis introduced him to me as his uncle. He greeted me with a cordiality quite unlooked for by me under the circumstances. His bearing, indeed, was that of an old family friend. What struck me as peculiar was the look of troubled scrutiny I detected when his eyes were turned upon me, as if he were in some anxiety on my account. So strong was this impression, that I might have made some remark on the subject, had not Utis began to speak as soon as we resumed our journey.

"You now have seen our country-roads," was his first remark, and all our means of conveyance."

"Have you no horses, then?" said I.

"None," was the reply, "except in zoölogical collections."

"How, then," said I, "are agricultural operations carried on?"

"By means of caloric engines, worked by the regulated escape of highly condensed gases. They are much used. for such purposes, being somewhat more economical than electric power. Seated on a machine of appropriate construction, the farmer ploughs, sows, reaps, performs, in fine, all the labor of the farm, without more muscular effort than is required for guidance. Agriculture is now