
WATER-CRAFT OF THE BACKWOODS. 239 
Nile to meet Antony, seems immeasurably inferior in 
skill and contrivance. Yet the galley of Cleopatra, with 
all its gay trappings, and its silken sails glittering in 
the sun, was as far inferior to a “ship ‘of the line,” as 
the Indian’s rude bundle to the barge of Cleopatra. 
Imagination may go back to some early period, when 
the naked Phoenician sported upon a floating log; may 
mark his progress, as the inviting waters of the Mediter- 
ranean prompted him to more adventurous journeyings, 
and in time see him astonishing his little world, by fear- 
lessly navigating about the bays, and coasting along the 
whole length of his native home. 
How many ages after this, was it, that the invading 
fleets of classic Greece, proud fleets, indeed, in which 
the gods themselves were interested, were pulled ashore, 
as now the fisherman secures his little skiff? Admire 
the proud battle ship, riding upon the waves, forming a 
safe home for thousands, now touching the clouds with 
its sky-reaching masts, and descending safely into the 
deep. With what power and majesty does it dash the 
intruding wave from its prow, and rush on in the very 
teeth of the winds ! 
Admire it as the wonder of human skill, then go 
back through the long cycle of years, and see how many 
centuries have elapsed in thus perfecting it—then ex- 
amine the most elaborate craft of our savage life, and 
the antiquity of their youth will be impressed upon 
you. 
