Thus she stood while we glided by.

She was a pretty creature, and she and her willow bough made a very pretty picture, and one which could not offend the modesty of the most fastidious spectator.

Her white skin had a low bank of fresh green willows for background and effective contrast--for she stood against them--and above and out of them projected the eager faces and white shoulders of two smaller girls.
Toward noon we heard the inspiriting cry,-- "Sail ho!" "Where away ?" shouted the captain.
"Three points off the weather bow!" We ran forward to see the vessel.

It proved to be a steamboat--for they had begun to run a steamer up the Neckar, for the first time in May.
She was a tug, and one of a very peculiar build and aspect.

I had often watched her from the hotel, and wondered how she propelled herself, for apparently she had no propeller or paddles.