d of what is called the 'higher
criticism,' or that it places him in the column of those who represent
the 'advanced thought' of the present time; for he follows the Scripture
record, and does not seek to invalidate it. But we are going to run into
the basin, and it is time we were moving," added the commander, as he
called the first officer, and ordered the anchor to be weighed.

"Do you have to pay to go through the canal, Captain Ringgold?" asked
Mrs. Belgrave, after the commander had given his orders.

"Of course we do," replied the captain; and about all the party gathered
around him to hear what he had to say. "As Mr. Woolridge said, the canal
is good paying stock to the holders of the shares. It cost a vast sum of
money, and it is worked and kept in running order at an immense
expense."

"I asked a foolish question, and I might have known better," said the
lady.

"Every vessel that goes through to Suez has to pay a round sum for the
privilege."

"Do all ships have to pay the same amount?"

"Certainly not; for that would be very unfair. They pay by the ton; and
every vessel carries a register, in which her tonnage is given. The
Guardian-Mother's is 624 tons. About everything is French in this
locality; and the rate charged is ten francs a ton, or a little less
than two dollars. I shall have to pay a bill of $1,248 in our money."

"That looks like an enormous price," suggested Mrs. Woolridge.

"In addition to this charge, we have to pay from ten to twenty francs
for a pilot, depending upon the tonnage, and the same for each
passenger. Through the greater portion of the canal the speed of
steamers is limited to five miles an hour; otherwise the swash of the
propeller would injure the embankments on either side. It takes steamers
about sixteen hours to go through to Suez."

"But that is over six miles an hour," Uncle Moses objected.

"The three lakes, making nearly thirty miles of the distance, are wide
enough and deep enough to permit steamers to go ahead at full speed,
which will more than make up the difference, and include the stay at
Ismailia. There are sometimes unavoidable delays. A vessel may get
aground, and bar the passage for a day or two. The canal is not in all
places wide enough for one large steamer to pass another, and there are
sidings, as on a single track railroad, where it can be done, a little
more than three miles apart. Posts are set up every five kilometres to
indicate the distance