Smooth-it-away. "I wish we were secure of as good a reception."
"Never fear- never fear!" answered my friend. "Come- make haste;
the ferry-boat will be off directly; and in three minutes you will
be on the other side of the river. No doubt you will find coaches to
carry you up to the city gates."
A steam ferry-boat, the last improvement on this important route,
lay at the river-side, puffing, snorting, and emitting all those other
disagreeable utterances, which betoken the departure to be
immediate. I hurried on board with the rest of the passengers, most of
whom were in great perturbation; some bawling out for their baggage;
some tearing their hair and exclaiming that the boat would explode
or sink; some already pale with the heaving of the stream; some gazing
affrighted at the ugly aspect of the steersman; and some still dizzy
with the slumberous influences of the Enchanted Ground. Looking back
to the shore, I was amazed to discern Mr. Smooth-it-away waving his
hand in token of farewell!
"Don't you go over to the Celestial City?" exclaimed I.
"Oh, no!" answered he with a queer smile, and that same
disagreeable contortion of visage which I had remarked in the
inhabitants of the Dark Valley. "Oh, no! I have come thus far only for
the sake of your pleasant company.
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