Page:The boy Travellers in Central Europe.djvu/27

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ARRIVAL IN PORT.
7

shall find it filled with coasting vessels and other small craft in considerable numbers. Beyond the avant-port are the docks, which are similar to the docks that you saw at Liverpool and London, and have cost a great deal of money to make."

On and on went the little steamer, and in due time the entrance-harbor was reached. As they passed the signal station Frank made a hasty sketch of the semaphore and light-house. There was a large crowd of people at the end of the jetty, and Mrs. Bassett wondered why so many had come there just for the sake of witnessing the arrival of Doctor Bronson and his party. The Doctor explained that the probabilities were that the people had assembled on account of the departure of the great steamer which they met outside, and also that of a smaller one which was just leaving port as they entered.

When the steamer stopped and the gang-plank was put out, there was the usual rush of passengers for the shore. Our friends retired to a

THE ENTRANCE-PORT OF HAVRE.

corner of the deck and studied the scene. They were intending to spend a few days at Havre, and therefore were in no immediate hurry to land. They realized that the great majority of their fellow-passengers were anxious to go to Paris by the first train, and therefore had good reason for getting on shore as speedily as possible.