This image looked sternward; everlastingly mocking us.
Of these canoes, it may be well to state, that although during our stay in Odo, so many barges and shallops had touched there, nothing similar to Media's had been seen.

But inquiring whence his sea- equipage came, we were thereupon taught to reverence the same as antiquities and heir-looms; claw-keeled, dragon-prowed crafts of a bygone generation; at present, superseded in general use by the more swan-like canoes, significant of the advanced stage of marine architecture in Mardi.

No sooner was this known, than what had seemed almost hideous in my eyes, became merely grotesque.

Nor could I help being greatly delighted with the good old family pride of our host.
The upper corners of our sails displayed the family crest of Media; three upright boars' tusks, in an heraldic field argent.

A fierce device: Whom rends he?
All things in readiness, we glided away: the multitude waving adieu; and our flotilla disposed in the following order.
First went the royal Elephant, carrying Media, myself, Jarl, and Samoa; Mohi the Teller of Legends, Babbalanja, and Yoomy, and six vivacious paddlers; their broad paddle-blades carved with the royal boars' tusks, the same tattooed on their chests for a livery.
And thus, as Media had promised, we voyaged in state.