n in
possession of muscular strength; and, springing to my feet, I caught up
my cloak and swept it wildly around me, shouting at the top of my voice.

The cold perspiration was running from every pore in my skin, and my
hair felt as if on end. I still believed I was dreaming; and it was not
until the astonished negro appeared with a light, and I had evidence of
the presence of my hairy visitors in the condition of my cloak and
boots, that I was convinced the terrible episode was a reality.

I remained no longer in the "saloon," but, wrapping my cloak around me,
betook myself to the open air.

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

THE HOUMA.

I had not much longer to remain on the wharf-boat. The hoarse barking
of a 'scape-pipe fell upon my ear and shortly after the fires of a
steamboat furnace appeared, glittering red upon the stream. Then was
heard the crashing plunging sound of the paddle-wheels as they beat the
brown water, and then the ringing of the bell, and the shouts of command
passing from captain to mate, and from mate to "deck hands," and in five
minutes after, the "Houma"--Red River-boat,--lay side by side with the
old "Sultana."

I stepped aboard, threw my luggage over the guard, and, climbing
up-stairs, seated myself under the awning.

Ten minutes of apparent confusion--the quick trampling of feet over the
decks and staging--half-a-dozen passengers hastening ashore--others
hurrying in the opposite direction--the screeching of the steam--the
rattling of huge fire-logs thrust endways up the furnace--at intervals
the loud words of command--a peal of laughter at some rude jest, or the
murmur of voices in the sadder accents of adieu. Ten minutes of these
sights and sounds, and again was heard the ringing of the large bell--
the signal that the boat was about to continue her course.

I had flung myself into a chair that stood beside one of the
awning-posts, and close to the guards. From my position I commanded a
view of the gangway, the staging-plank, and the contiguous wharf-boat,
which I had just left.

I was looking listlessly on what was passing below, taking note of
nothing in particular. If I had a special thought in my mind the
subject of it was not there, and the thought itself caused me to turn my
eyes away from the busy groups and bend them downward along the left
bank of the river. Perhaps a sigh was the concomitant of these
occasional glances; but in the intervals between, my mind dwelt upon
no