Very little traffic passed over these waters.

In all the way to Preston Bagot our travellers met but three boats.

One, at Lowsonford Lock, had a pair of donkeys ("animals" Sam called them) to haul it; the other two, they met, coming up light by Fiwood Green.

"Hold in!" "Hold out!" called the steersmen as the boats met.

Sam held wide, and by shouts instructed Mr.
Mortimer how to cross the towropes; and Mr.Mortimer put on an extremely knowledgeable air, but obeyed him with so signal a clumsiness that the bargees desired to know where the _Success to Commerce_ had shipped her new mate.
The question, though put with good humour, appeared to disturb Sam, who for the rest of the way steered in silence.