He could see nothing blue about
the Danube. That river was almost as yellow as the Mississippi. Like all
rivers it has its bug-bear. The Struden is the terror of the Upper
Danube. It consists of a sharp and dangerous rapid, picturesquely
surrounded by high wood covered hills. Great crowds were gathered
here to see Paul make his plunge. He passed under two or three heavy
waves that completely submerged him. As he was hurried away on the wild
current, he held his paddle high up in acknowledgment to the cheers.
His reception in Vienna was most enthusiastic. From Presburg he was
accompanied for about two miles by the swimming club and he was made
an honorary member by a vote taken while he was paddling in the river
surrounded by his swimming friends. He was then left alone and all that
day he traveled through a barren and desolate country. He occasionally
ran across parties of gold dust hunters who were at work on the sand
bars. They were a wild looking lot of people and all wore white shirts
and baggy trousers. His appearance as he skimmed along on the current
never failed to produce the utmost consternation among the groups who
had possibly never heard of him. It was a very warm day and the sun
burned his face cruelly.
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