"It is indeed very lovely," replied Mrs Campbell; "and the branches of the trees, feathering down as they do to the surface of the water--" "Like good Samaritans," said Emma, "extending their arms, that any unfortunate drowning person who was swept away by the stream might save himself by their assistance." "I had no idea that trees had so much charity or reflection, Emma," rejoined Alfred. "I cannot answer for their charity, but, by the side of this clear water, you must allow them reflection, cousin," replied Emma. "I presume you will add vanity to their attributes?" answered Alfred; "for they certainly appear to be hanging over the stream that they may look and admire themselves in the glassy mirror." "Pretty well that for a midshipman; I was not aware that they use such choice language in a cockpit," retorted the young lady. "Perhaps not, cousin," answered Alfred; "but when sailors are in the company of ladies, they become refined, from the association." "Well, I must admit, Alfred, that you are a great deal more polished after you have been a month on shore." "Thank you, cousin Emma, even for that slight admission," replied Alfred laughing. "But what is that," said Mary Percival, "at the point, is it a village-- one, two, three houses--just opening upon us?" "That is a raft, Miss Percival, which is coming down the river," replied Captain Sinclair. "You will see when we are nearer to it, that perhaps it covers two acres of water, and there are three tiers of timber on it. These rafts are worth many thousand pounds. They are first framed with logs, fastened by wooden tree-nails, and the timber placed within the frame. There are, perhaps, from forty to a hundred people on this raft to guide it down the stream, and the houses you see are built on it for the accommodation of these people. I have seen as many as fifteen houses upon a raft, which will sometimes contain the cargoes of thirty or forty large ships." "It is very wonderful how they guide and direct it down the stream," said Mr Campbell. "It is very dexterous; and it seems strange that such an enormous mass can be so guided, but it is done, as you will perceive; there are three or four rudders made of long sweeps, and as you may observe, several sweeps on each side." All the party were now standing up in the stern-sheets of the _bateaux_ to look at the people on the raft, who amounted to about fifty or sixty men--now running over the top to one side, and dragging at the sweeps, which required the joint power of seven or eight men to each of them-- now passing again over to the opposite sweeps, as directed by the steersman.