brightening
up, and becoming imbued with the general enthusiasm.

"No--no--no! Let the expense be mine. I have hindered you. They were
for my plantation people, but they are not in want. We shall send down
for more. Go, Antoine! go to the firemen. Knock in the heads of the
barrels! Use them as you please, but do not let us be beaten by that
wicked Magnolia! Hark! how they cheer! Ha! we shall pass them yet."

So saying, the fiery Creole rushed back to the guard-way, followed by a
group of admirers.

The Captain's "dander" was now fairly up; and the story of the bacon
hams soon spreading over the boat, still further heightened the
enthusiasm of both passengers and crew. Three loud cheers were given
for the young lady, which seemed to mystify the Magnolians, who had now
been for some time in the enjoyment of their triumph, and had forged a
considerable distance ahead.

All hands went to work with a will--the barrels were rolled-up, their
heads knocked in, and part of their contents "chucked" up the blazing
furnace. The iron walls soon grew red--the steam rose--the boat
trembled under the increased action of the engine--the bells of the
engineers tinkled their signals--the wheels revolved more rapidly, and
an increase of velocity was soon perceptible.

Hope had stifled clamour--comparative silence was restored. There was
heard only an occasional utterance--the expression of an opinion upon
the speed of the rival boats--the fixing the conditions of a bet--and
now and then some allusion to the story of the bacon hams.

At intervals, all eyes were bent upon the water eagerly glancing along
the line that separated the rival steamers.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

A BOAT-RACE UPON THE MISSISSIPPI.

It had now become quite dark. There was no moon in the sky--not a speck
of a star. A clear heaven over the lower region of the Mississippi, at
night, is rather rare than otherwise. The film of the swamp too often
obscures it.

There was light enough for the race. The yellow water shone clear. It
was easily distinguishable from the land. The track was a wide one; and
the pilots of both boats--old hands--knew every "shute" and sand-bar of
the river.

The rival steamers were quite visible to one another. No lamps needed
to be hung out, although the gaff over the bow of each boat carried its
coloured signal. The cabin windows of both were full of light, and the
blaze of the bacon fires flung a vermilion glare far