36 FIFTEEN DAYS ON THE DANUBE. 
way, the channel took a wide bend and changed its direction. 
At first it had led us westwards almost at right angles to the 
main stream, but now it turned to the sou’-sou’-west, and we 
could see it flowing straight before us like a broad avenue, 
both its banks being covered with imposing woods of a grander 
and gloomier character than those which we had at first 
encountered, 
The ‘ Vienna’ loaded with men, and its attendant swarm of 
low “esikeln’’ that hardly rose above the surface of the 
water, formed a striking picture as they glided so quietly 
through this silent lonely scene. 
In the distance to the right we saw quite a colony of fisher- 
men, whose curiously built huts had a look of the South Sea 
Islands, being made of long thick reeds and shaped like in- 
verted funnels, a-very low door serving as an entrance into 
these peculiar structures. 
After a few more strokes of the oars Hodek ordered his 
men to land at this fishing colony, whither the Archduke 
Albrecht’s Land-Steward had come from Mohaes on purpose to 
recelve us. 
Herr Rampelt, formerly an officer in the army, is a par- 
ticularly agreeable, well-informed man, and to his great 
courtesy we are indebted for much pleasure and many in- 
teresting experiences. Other members of the admirable 
Archducal forestry-staff also came to offer their services ; and 
as for the fishermen, they stood up in their “ esikeln”’ by the 
bank gazing at us in amazement, while some wolf-dogs 
sprang yelping towards us. 
Now followed a short consultation, the “csikeln””’ were 
distributed, every one chose his special district, a guide, a 
paddler, and a climber were allotted to each, and we separated 
with many a hearty wish for good luck, this spot being fixed 
upon as the rendezvous for the evening, when we had 
finished shooting. We were all somewhat excited at parting, 
