blandly, he inquired where he was to land his fair charge.

"At Bringiers," replied the lady. "My residence is a little below, but
our landing is not a good one; besides, there is some freight which it
would be better to put ashore at Bringiers."

Here the occupant of the barouche pointed to a train of drays, loaded
with barrels and boxes, that had just driven up, and halted in the rear
of the carriage.

The sight of the freight had a still further pleasant effect on the
Captain, who was himself _part owner_ of his boat. He became profuse in
offers of service, and expressed his willingness to accommodate his new
passenger in every way she might desire.

"Monsieur Capitaine," continued this handsome lady, still remaining
seated in her carriage, and speaking in a tone of good-natured
seriousness, "I must make one condition with you."

"Please to name it, madame."

"Well then! It is reported that your boat is likely to have a race with
some other one. If that be so, I cannot become your passenger." The
Captain looked somewhat disconcerted. "The fact is," continued she, "I
had a narrow escape once before, and I am determined to run no such risk
in future."

"Madame--," stammered the Captain--then hesitating--

"Oh, then!" interrupted the lady, "if you cannot give me the assurance
that you will not race, I must wait for some other boat."

The Captain hung his head for some seconds. He was evidently reflecting
upon his answer. To be thus denied the anticipated excitement and
pleasure of the race--the victory which he confidently expected, and its
grand consequences; to appear, as it were, afraid of trying the speed of
his boat; afraid that she would be beaten; would give his rival a large
opportunity for future bragging, and would place himself in no enviable
light in the eyes of his crew and passengers--all of whom had already
made up their minds for a race. On the other hand, to refuse the
request of the lady--not very unreasonable when properly viewed--and
still more reasonable when it was considered that that lady was the
proprietress of several dray-loads of freight, and when still further
considered that that lady was a rich _plantress_ of the "French coast,"
and might see fit next fall to send several hundred casks of sugar and
as many hogsheads of tobacco down on his (the Captain's) boat;--these
considerations, I say, made the request quite reasonable. And so we
suppose, upon reflection, it must ha