Читать книгу Views in India, chiefly among the Himalaya Mountains онлайн

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A voyage on the Ganges, interesting even when made under all the disadvantages attending the slow and clumsy craft in which travellers ascending the stream were, when the wind was against them, towed by the crew, perhaps at the rate of five or six miles per day, is now performed in the most delightful manner possible in the government iron steamers. The arrangement of these commodious vessels is very judicious and convenient. The cuddy, a cheerful apartment, with a sky-light above, and four large windows on either side, stands athwart-ship, about the centre of the vessel, with eight cabins abaft, and six before it; a narrow passage runs between each range of cabins, and terminates in the cuddy, which thus enjoys the most ample ventilation. The vessel, which is in technical language denominated a flat, is towed by a steamer, also of iron; and in consequence of the difficulties which at present attend the navigation of a river beset with shifting sand-banks, the whole concern is brought to anchor at sunset every evening, the commandant not being allowed to put the steam up until sunrise the following morning. As Government despatches treasure by these boats, they are accompanied by a guard of soldiers who live and mess in the steamer, but at eight bells post a sentinel on the flat; thus enabling the passengers to throw open their windows at night with the strongest feelings of security—feelings which they would not otherwise enjoy, the thieves of India being exceedingly expert, and frequently committing great depredations on the river, by means of the small boats, in which they glide noiselessly to any unguarded vessel, which they speedily strip of every thing valuable.