CHAPTER XXXIX.
Some minutes later we were descending a long flight of steps on the Canadian side, which led to the banks of the river, covered with huge sheets of ice. Here a boat was waiting to take us to "America." One passenger had already taken his place in it. He was an engineer from Kentucky, and acquainted the Doctor with his name and profession. We embarked without loss of time, and by dint of steering, so as to avoid the blocks of ice, reached the middle of the river, where the current offered a clear passage. From here we had a last view of the magnificent Niagara cataract. Our companion observed it with a thoughtful air.
"Is it not grand, sir? Is it not magnificent?" said I to him.
"Yes," replied he; "but what a waste of mechanical force, and what a mill might be turned with such a fall as that!"
