it? It was a pleasant city,--there was much to see,--and also much
to learn! ... At that instant a loud blast of silver-toned
trumpets split the air, followed by a storm-roar of distant
acclamation surging up from thousands of throats,--crowds of men
and women suddenly flocked into the Square, across it, and out of
it again, all pressing impetuously in one direction,--and urged
forward by the general rush as well as by a corresponding impulse
within himself, he flung all meditation to the winds, and plunged
recklessly into the shouting, onsweeping throng. He was borne
swiftly with it down a broad avenue lined with grand old trees and
decked with flying flags and streamers, to the margin of a noble
river, as still as liquid amber in the wide sheen and heat of the
noonday sun. A splendid marble embankment, adorned with colossal
statues, girdled it on both sides,--and here, under silken awnings
of every color, pattern and design, an enormous multitude was
assembled,--its white attired, closely packed ranks stretching far
away into the blue distance on either hand.

All the attention of this vast concourse appeared to be centered
on the slow approach of a strange, gilded vessel, that with great
curved prow and scarlet sails flapping idly in the faint breeze,
was gliding leisurely yet majestically over the azure blaze of the
smooth water. Huge oars like golden fins projected from her sides
and dipped lazily every now and then, apparently wielded by the
hands of invisible rowers, whose united voices supplied the lack
of the needful wind,--and as he caught sight of this cumbrously
quaint galley, Theos, moved by sudden interest, elbowed his way
resolutely though the dense crowd till he gained the edge of the
embankment, where leaning against the marble balustrade, he
watched with a curious fascination its gradual advance.