fascinating influence,
and return to my meditation on the hurricane-deck. A last look at the
fair Creole, and I should depart.

Just at that moment she flung herself into a chair.

It was of the kind known as a "rocking-chair," and its motions displayed
the fine proportion and outlines of her form. As she now sat she was
facing the door, and her eye for the first time rested upon me. By
Heavens! she was gazing on me just as before! What meant that strange
glance? those burning eyes?

Stedfast and fixed, they remained bent upon mine--and mine trembled to
answer them!

Thus for some moments her eyes dwelt upon me, without motion or change
of direction. I was too young at that time to understand the expression
that was in them. I could translate such an one afterwards, but not
then.

At length she rose from her seat with an air of uneasiness, as if
displeased either with herself or me; and, turning away her head, she
opened the latticed door and passed into her state-room.

Had I done anything to give offence? No! not by word, nor look, nor
gesture. I had not spoken--I had not moved, and my timid glance could
not have been construed into one of rudeness.

I was somewhat bewildered by the conduct of Mademoiselle Besancon; and,
in the full belief that I should never see her again, I hurried away
from the saloon, and once more climbed up to the hurricane-deck.

CHAPTER TEN.

A NEW MODE OF RAISING THE STEAM.

It was near sunset--the fiery disc was going down behind the dark
outline of cypress forest that belted the western horizon, and a yellow
light fell upon the river. Promenading back and forward upon the
canvas-covered roof, I was gazing upon the scene, wrapt in admiration of
its glowing beauty.

My reverie was interrupted. On looking down the river I saw that a
large boat was in our wake, and coming rapidly after us. The volume of
smoke rolling up out of her tall funnels, and the red glowing of her
fires, showed that she was moving under a full head of steam. Her size,
as well as the loud reports of her 'scape-pipe, told that she was a boat
of the first-class. She was the "Magnolia." She was moving with great
velocity, and I had not watched her long, before I perceived that she
was fast gaining upon us.

At this moment my ears were assailed by a variety of sounds coming from
below. Loud voices in earnest tones, the stamping and pattering of
feet, as of men rushing over the wooden decks a