Page:Neuroomia.djvu/31

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A NEW CONTINENT.
19

about me to the right and to the left at all that was to be seen.

The street was laid down with planks of what appeared to be very tough wood, placed closely together, and there was not a particle of dust.

There were numerous vehicles of nearly every size and shape, travelling at various rates of speed, but, like the first I had seen, were not drawn by animals. I did not go far, however, when one of the vehicles going in the same direction as myself, drew up close to me. It contained three men, one of whom pointed to a vacant seat. I thought of our own “slippery” cabbies, and for a moment had my misgivings, but a glance at the occupants soon convinced me of their genuineness, and I stepped in without any hesitation; besides, I was anxious to conceal as much of the “claw-hammer” as possible from the ladies. The man sitting foremost pulled a small handle, and off we went. My companions were extremely agreeable, and at first we tried to exchange ideas, but soon gave up the attempt as fruitless—at least, as far as words were concerned. After travelling some distance the vehicle stopped in front of a massive building, though only two storeys high, that commanded a magnificent view of the sea. It was certainly one