CHAPTER IV.
A GREAT POLAR CITY.
At the appointed time, Ilaclatella and myself walked down to one of the many jetties. On arriving there, he remarked that we were too early, as there was no boat alongside. I had now an opportunity of seeing the shipping of Atazatlan. The harbour was literally crowded with craft of all sizes, from the miniature boat to the huge vessel; but what I wondered at most was the variety of shape and difference of speed they exhibited. Some were of, very elegant build, but others again were almost round, and clumsy; as regards speed, there were many that shot through the waters, while others went so slowly that they scarcely appeared to move. Seeing no sign of steam, I inquired of Ilaclatella the nature of the motive power that sent them along. He replied that some were propelled by air, others by electricity, others by water, and a few by steam, while nearly the whole, I noticed,
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