After which, having disengaged themselves from many vessels which rode at anchor in the Thames, and almost blocked up the passage towards Greenwich: they ordered the watermen to let fall their oars more gently; and then, every one favouring his own curiosity with a strict silence, it was not long ere they perceived the air break about them, like the noise of distant thunder, or of swallows in a chimney.

So fascinated was Leonard with the sight, that he could have been well content to remain all day gazing at it, but he now recollected that he had other duties to perform, and directing the waterman to land him at Queenhithe, ascended Bread-street-hill, and betook himself to Wood-street.

" Harry sprang into a boat and told the waterman to row to the ship.

"Why do you do that?" asked the waterman.

It was the owner of Nettuno, whose aquatic air and perfect self-possession now caused the officer to doubt whether he had not stopped a waterman of the lakea class privileged to come and go at will.

All next day was spent by Lyra in superintending our three best watermen as they took the canoes down the west side of the rapids, to the foot, at the spot to which the camp had meantime been shifted.

It keeps watermen from sinking, and helps them with many a fare voyage to Westminster.

Let us consult the watermen, for it may be well to send a light-pulling boat to bring the travellers to land.

"Shipwrecks and rocky bottoms!" exclaimed the alarmed waterman.