However, now that Cachar is under our protection, I hope that I shall make up for my loss of trade, in Assam, by doing better than before in that province." "I thought you called it Kathee, uncle ?" "So it is generally named but, as it is spoken of as Cachar in the proclamation assuming the protectorate, I suppose it will be called so in future; but all these names, out here, are spelt pretty much according to fancy." While this conversation had been going on, the boat had been running fast down the river, passing several European vessels almost as if they had been standing still.
"I should not have thought that a boat like this would pass these large ships," Stanley said.
"We have a good deal to learn in the art of sailing, yet," his uncle replied.

"A great many of these Indian dhows can run away from a square-rigged ship, in light weather.

I don't know whether it is the lines of their hulls or the cut of the sails, but there is no doubt about their speed.

They seem to skim over the water, while our bluff-bowed craft shove their way through it.

I suppose, some day, we shall adopt these long sharp bows; when we do, it will make a wonderful difference in our rate of sailing.