it are some sand banks which are seen at low
water. These circumstances produce a very singu-
lar and romantic appearance, by the large sheets of
ice being obstructed and accumulated in various
parts of the river, having the resemblance of large
blocks of white marble piled on heaps. There
being a constant intercourse between the two
shores of the Delaware, it is curious to observe
the various means which the owners of the ferry
boats use, to counteract the effects of the frost, on
its first setting in, so as to preserve the commu-
nication open. On these occasions they make use
of a boat that has two sliders, one on each side
the keel, shod with iron; and, as the shallow parts
of the river are first frozen, they sail as usual over
the deep parts, and on coming to those which
are frozen, they drag the boat out of the water,
and push it along the ice, until they come to the
deep places, when the boat is again plunged
into the water. Thus they go on till they reach
the opposite shore; and as it will, in course,
sometimes happen, in the early part of the frost,
that between the ice and the shallow water, the
ice is not sufficiently strong to support the boat;
in this case it is common for one of the ferrymen
to sit at the head of the boat, with his feet hanging
out, loaded with a pair of heavy iron bound shoes,
and, with a long pole in his hands. With these
he labours with all his might, to break the ice, and
make way for the boat.