They are mostly wood and provision boats, flat bottomed and built somewhat on the plan of canal boats.

They carry an enormous square sail on a single mast, larger than any sail used on the greatest ships.
At nine o'clock in the morning the start was made from Orleans and Paul arrived at Blois in the evening, where he came very near having his arm broken by coming in contract with a pile as he was leaving, so instead of running all night as he had intended doing, he hauled up and remained at Blois, much to the satisfaction of the citizens who entertained him in the most pleasant manner.
The following afternoon he started for an all night run, in order to make up for lost time.

At nightfall the weather grew intensely cold and ice soon covered all exposed parts of his dress.

A small, but powerful lamp on the bow of the tender, gave him plenty of light and that evening furnished the means of some amusement.

Along the frozen road which follows the river bank for quite a distance, he heard the clattering of the sabots of a belated peasant, who was singing to keep his courage up.