"'Tis but three days' journey, at most, and perhaps six for coming back against the stream." "We shall need four men, master, and there is the food by the way." After much bargaining the price was settled at fifteen rix dollars, both parties being satisfied with the bargain; the men because it was more than twice the sum for which they would have been glad to do it, at ordinary times; Fergus because he had still forty rix dollars in his pocket, and had only bargained as he did in order not to appear too anxious on the subject.

The price was to include the erection, at one end of the boat, of a snug cover of rushes for his use.
He found, on going down to the shore three hours later, that the boatmen were engaged in covering in the whole of the craft, with the exception of a few feet at each end, with a roof of rushes.

The boat itself was some thirty-five feet in length and ten wide, with straight sides and a general resemblance to a canal barge, save that the beam was greater in comparison to the length.

The roof was high, and sloped sharply.

A tall man could walk along in the centre, while at the sides there was but three feet of height.
Hay and straw were extremely scarce, the whole supply of the country having been stripped by the foraging parties; but bundles of reeds had been thickly littered down, especially near the stern.
Shortly after his return, the landlord of the inn told him that, if he did not want to take the horse with him, he would himself gladly buy it.
"I have frequently to send to Prague for things for the inn; and besides, I have to get provisions for people in the town.