THE RAPIDS. 315 



could withstand the fearful rapids we were 

 destined to pass. This transfer of passengers and 

 merchandize from the steam-vessel to a barge is 

 necessary, from the extreme rapidity of the cur- 

 rent of the river between Gladosnitza and Orsova, 

 and the dangerous bed over which it passes. 

 These rapids are called the Iron Gates, and well 

 do they deserve the appellation. The Danube 

 appears to have burst its way through the bold 

 mountains which obstruct its course, rushing with 

 fearful impetuosity through the narrow channel 

 it has thus formed for itself, and continuing its 

 course with the same velocity until it gradually 

 subsides, on account of the greater space allotted 

 to it, to a steady, though somewhat rapid current 

 in the more open country. 



About a fortnight before we arrived at Glado- 

 snitza, a lamentable accident had occurred at the 

 rapids a few miles higher up, in which nine 

 persons lost their lives. It appears that from 

 some unaccountable cause, and whether occa- 

 sioned by accident or neglect it is difficult to 

 ascertain, the barge in which the passengers and 

 baggage were being towed up the stream, was 

 brought by the force of the current with its broad- 

 p 2 



