he's a fast boat that 'ere Magnolia!" remarked a third.

"She ain't anything else," rejoined the first speaker: "she's got her
steam on a few, I reckon."

I walked out on the guard-way in the direction of the ladies' cabin.
The inmates of the latter were clustered along the guards, and seemingly
as much interested in the boat-race as the men. I could hear several of
them expressing their wishes aloud that the boats would run. All idea
of risk or fear of consequences had departed; and I believe that if the
company had been "polled" at the moment in favour of the race, there
would not have been three dissentient voices. I confess that I, myself,
would have voted for running,--I had caught the infection, and no longer
thought of "snags", "sawyers," or bursting boilers.

As the Magnolia drew near the excitement increased. It was evident that
in a few minutes more she would be alongside, and then pass us. The
idea was unsupportable to some of the passengers; and loud words could
be heard, now and then interspersed with an angry oath. The poor
Captain had to bear all this--for it was known that the rest of the
officers were well disposed for a trial of speed. It was the Captain
only who "showed the white feather."

The Magnolia was close in our wake; her head bearing a little to one
side. She was evidently preparing to pass us!

Her officers and crew were moving actively about; both pilots were seen
above at the wheel-house; the firemen were all at work upon the deck;
the furnace-doors were glowing red-hot; and the bright blaze stood
several feet above the tops of her tall funnels! One might have fancied
she was on fire!

"They are burning bacon hams!" shouted a voice.

"They are by--!" exclaimed another. "See, yonder's a pile of them in
front of the furnace!"

I turned my eyes in that direction. It was quite true. A
pyramidal-shaped mass of dark-brown objects lay upon the deck in front
of the fires. Their size, shape, and colour told what they were--dried
hams of bacon. The firemen were seen taking them from the pile, and
thrusting them one after another up the red tunnels of the furnace!

The Magnolia was still gaining upon us. Already her head was even with
the wheel-house of the Belle. On the latter boat the excitement
increased, and the noise along with it. An occasional taunt from the
passengers of the rival boat added fuel to the flame; and the Captain
was once more abjured to run. Men almos