ead part floating on one side, and
tail part on the other."

"But don't they join together again when they meet in your wake?"
inquired Tom.

"Shouldn't wonder," replied the American captain.

"Pray, captain, what may be that vessel they talk so much about at New
York?" Old Tom referred to the first steam vessel, whose qualities at
that time had been tried, and an exaggerated report of which had been
copied from the American papers. "That ship, or whatever she may be,
that sails without masts, yards, or canvas; it is quite above my
comprehension."

"Old country heads can't take it in. I'll tell you what--she goes slick
through the water, a-head or a-starn, broadside on, or up or down, or
any way; and all you have to do is to poke the fire and warm your
fingers; and the more you poke, the faster she goes 'gainst wind and
tide."

"Well, I must see that to believe it, though," replied old Tom.

"No fear of a capsize, I calculate. My little craft did upset with me
one night, in a pretty comfortable heavy _gal_; but she's _smart_, and
came up again on the other side in a moment, all right as before. Never
should have known anything about it, if the man at the wheel had not
found his jacket wet, and the men below had a round turn in all the
clews of their hammocks."

"After that round turn, you may belay," cried young Tom, laughing.

"Yes, but don't let's have a stopper over all, Tom," replied his father.
"I consider all this excessively _divarting_. Pray, captain, does
everything else go fast in the new country."

"Everything with us _clean slick_, I guess."

"What sort of horses have you in America?" inquired I.

"Our Kentucky horses, I've a notion, would surprise you. They're
almighty goers; at a trot, beat a _North West gal_ of wind. I once took
an Englishman with me in a gig up Allibama country, and he says, `What's
this great churchyard we are passing through?' `And stranger,' says I,
`I calculate it's nothing but the milestones we are passing so _slick_.'
But I once had a horse, who, I expect, was a deal quicker than that. I
once seed a flash of lightning chase him for half-an-hour round the
clearance, and I guess it couldn't catch him. But I can't wait no
longer. I expect you'll come alongside to-morrow afore meridian."

"Ay, ay, master," replied old Tom, tuning up--

"'Twas post meridian, half-past four,
By signal I from Nancy parted,
At five she lingered on the shore,
With uplif