It was night, and we could not see details, for which we were sorry, for Keokuk has the reputation of being a beautiful city.

It was a pleasant one to live in long ago, and doubtless has advanced, not retrograded, in that respect.
A mighty work which was in progress there in my day is finished now.
This is the canal over the Rapids.

It is eight miles long, three hundred feet wide, and is in no place less than six feet deep.

Its masonry is of the majestic kind which the War Department usually deals in, and will endure like a Roman aqueduct.

The work cost four or five millions.
After an hour or two spent with former friends, we started up the river again.