t threatened him with violence!

The Magnolia continued to advance. She was now head for head with us.
Another minute passed--a minute of deep silence--the crews and
passengers of both boats watched their progress with hearts too full for
utterance. Another minute, and the Magnolia had shot ahead!

A triumphant cheer rang along her decks, mingled with taunting shouts
and expressions of insult.

"Throw us a line, and we'll tow you!" cried one.

"Whar's yer old ark now?" shouted another.

"Hurraw for the Magnolia! Three groans for the Belle of the West!
Three groans for the old dugout!" vociferated a third, amidst jeers and
shouts of laughter.

I can hardly describe the mortification felt by those on board the
Belle. It was not confined to the officers and crew. The passengers,
one and all, seemed to partake of the feeling. I shared it myself, more
than I could have believed to be possible.

One dislikes to be among the conquered, even on any terms of
association. Besides, one involuntarily catches the impulse of the
moment. The sentiment that surrounds you--perhaps by physical laws
which you cannot resist--for the moment becomes your own; and even when
you know the object of exultation to be worthless or absurd, you are
controlled by the electric current to join in the enthusiasm. I
remember once being thus carried away, and mingled my voice with the
rude throats that cheered the passing cortege of royalty. The moment it
was past, however, my heart fell, abashed at its own meanness and
wickedness.

Both his crew and passengers seemed to think our Captain imprudent in
his prudence: and a general clamour, mingled with cries of "Shame!" was
heard all over the boat.

The poor Captain! I had my eyes upon him all this while. I really
pitied him. I was perhaps the only passenger on board, beside the fair
Creole, who knew his secret; and I could not help admiring the chivalric
fortitude with which he kept it to himself. I saw his cheek glow, and
his eye sparkle with vexation; and I felt satisfied, that had he been
called upon to make that promise then, he would not have done so for the
privilege of carrying all the freight upon the river.

Just then, as if to escape the importunities that beset him, I saw him
steal back and pass through the ladies' cabin. There he was at once
recognised, and a general onset was made upon him by his fair
passengers, who were almost as noisy in their petitions as the men