“Let upwards soar our thoughts on high,
“To where Love reigns eternally.”
The Old Church.
CHAPTER XVI.
Beilstein.
The steamers that ply on the Moselle are few in number, but very well appointed. Sometimes in summer there is not enough water to enable them to travel, and often a good bump is experienced from some hidden rock. On one occasion we knocked quite a good-sized hole in the bottom, and tore off a large piece of one paddle-wheel; but there was not the slightest danger, as the water was not deep enough for us to sink into it, so we pumped away for some time, and patched up the hole. Shortly after we met the down-steamer, which had likewise started a leak, and we were all much amused at the solemnity with which our captain handed over to his friend a pump, which he knew would not work, as he had tried it in vain in our boat. It was received with gratitude.