on by
those, were indulging too freely, and even the Captain showed symptoms
of a similar condition. No one thought of censure--prudence had fled
from the boat.

It is near midnight, and amidst the growling and grinding of the
machinery, the boats are moving on! There is deep darkness upon the
water, but this is no impediment. The red fires glow; the blaze stands
high above the tall funnels; steam booms from the iron pipes; the huge
paddles lash the water into foam; the timbers creak and tremble under
the fierce pressure, and the boats move on!

It is near midnight. A space of two hundred yards alone separates the
steamers--the Belle is bounding upon the waves of the Magnolia. In less
than ten minutes her head will overlap the stern of her rival. In less
than twenty, and the cheer of victory rising from her deck will peal
from shore to shore!

I was standing by the Captain of our boat, regarding him not without a
feeling of solicitude. I regretted to see him pass so often to the
"bar." He was drinking deeply.

He had returned to his station by the wheel-house, and was gazing ahead.
Some straggling lights were gleaming on the right bank of the river, a
mile farther up. The sight of these caused him to start, and utter a
wild exclamation:--

"By Heavens! it is _Bringiers_!"

"Ye-e-s," drawled the pilot at his elbow. "We've reached it in quick
time, I reckon."

"Great God! I must lose the race!"

"How?" said the other, not comprehending him; "what has that got to do
with it?"

"I must land there. I must--I must--the lady who gave us the hams--I
must land her!"

"Oh! _that_," replied the phlegmatic pilot; "a darned pity it is," he
added; "but if you must, you must. Darn the luck! We'd a-beat them
into shucks in another quarter, I reckon. Darn the luck!"

"We must give it up," said the Captain. "Turn her head in."

Saying this, he hurried below; and, observing his excited manner, I
followed him.

A group of ladies stood upon the guard-way where the Captain descended
over the wheel-house. The Creole was among them.

"Mademoiselle," said the Captain, addressing himself to this lady, "we
must lose the race after all."

"Why?" asked she in surprise; "are there not enough? Antoine! have you
delivered them all?"

"No, Mademoiselle," replied the Captain, "it is not that, thanks to your
generosity. You see those lights?"

"Yes--well?"

"That is _Bringiers_."

"Oh! it is, is it?"

"Ye