She came churning along, now, making a deal of noise of one kind or another, and aggravating it every now and then by blowing a hoarse whistle.

She had nine keel-boats hitched on behind and following after her in a long, slender rank.

We met her in a narrow place, between dikes, and there was hardly room for us both in the cramped passage.

As she went grinding and groaning by, we perceived the secret of her moving impulse.

She did not drive herself up the river with paddles or propeller, she pulled herself by hauling on a great chain.