mer, which had been rapidly increasing the
speed of its motion all the while, was now getting quite out into the
stream, and was turning rapidly down the river. This change in the
direction in which the steamer was going carried the pier and all the
people that were upon it entirely out of the children's view and they
saw themselves gliding rapidly along the shore of the river, which was
formed of a long line of piers, with forests of masts surmounting them,
and long ranges of stores and warehouses beyond. Nearer to the steamer,
on the water of the river, and on either hand, were to be seen sloops,
ships, ferry boats, scows, and every other species of water craft,
gliding to and fro in all directions. While gazing with great interest
on this scene, as the steamer moved along, Jane was suddenly startled
and terrified at the sound of a heavy gun, which seemed to be fired
close to her ear. It was soon evident that the gun had been fired from
on board the steamer, for a great puff of smoke rose up into the air
from the bows of the vessel, and slowly floated away. Immediately
afterward another gun was fired, louder than the first.

I have said that there were three farewells. The first is that of the
individual passengers to their individual friends. The second is that of
the whole company of passengers to the company of spectators on the
pier. The third is the ship's farewell to the city. Of course, for a
ship to speak to a city, a very loud voice is required. So they provide
her with a gun. In fact, a great steamer proceeding to sea may be
considered as, in some respects, like a mighty animal. The engine is its
heart; the paddle wheels are its limbs; the guns are its voice; the
captain is its head; and, finally, there is a man always stationed on
the lookout in the extreme forward part of the ship, who serves the
monster for eyes.

Jane was quite terrified at the sound of the guns.

"O Rollo!" exclaimed she, "I wish they would not fire any more of those
dreadful guns."

"I don't think they will fire any more," said Rollo. "In fact, I am sure
they will not, for they have fired two now, and they never fire more
than two."

Rollo was mistaken in this calculation, though he was right in the
general principle that the number of guns usually discharged by a
steamer going to sea, as its parting salute, is two. In this case,
however, the steamer, in passing on down the river, came opposite to a
place in Jersey City, where a