tain Cayo, coming into the pilot-house, when it
was clear that the capture would not come off immediately.

"I suppose that alligator went down to drink when we came up to the
bank of the river," I replied. "But he has the worst of it, for the
screw has smashed him."

I saw the saurian floating motionless down stream, and the screw had
evidently made short work of him.

"I am sorry the rascal interfered with our affair," added the pilot.

"The game is not up yet. We shall have an opportunity to learn which is
the faster steamer," I replied.

"The current must be running five or six miles an hour here," said
Captain Cayo.

"About five miles an hour is the usual rate of the Mississippi," I
answered. "But it runs just as fast for the Islander as it does for the
Sylvania."

"That's true; and I doubt if either steamer is making more than six or
seven knots an hour."

"The Islander is sheering off from us towards the middle of the river,
and that is where she is making her mistake."

"Why so?" asked the pilot.

"Because the current is swifter in the middle of the stream than near
the banks, for the friction of the shore has some effect on its flow."

"That is bringing it down to a fine point," said Captain Cayo,
laughing, for he was entirely unused to river navigation.

I kept the Sylvania as near the shore as I deemed it prudent to go,
while the Islander went in the middle of the river, as if her captain
desired to avoid falling into any possible trap. The wind was southerly
and quite fresh. I directed the mate to shake out the fore squaresail
and the fore topsail. In twenty minutes, by the clock in the
pilot-house, we were abreast of the Islander, but half a mile from her,
for she was still in the middle of the river. By this time, Captain
Blastblow evidently saw his mistake in not setting his squaresails, for
the wind was blowing about half a gale.

I put the helm about a half a point nearer to the course of the other
steamer. I immediately noticed that her pilot made a corresponding
change in her helm. Moses kept an eye on her, and understood the game
perfectly. I did not attempt to run any closer to her, for a turn in
the river would soon bring the Sylvania alongside of her. If the vessel
attempted to go any nearer the shore, she would have to stand out again
in order to pass the bend above. In a word, the Islander was cornered.

Captain Blastblow could not help realizing the situation of the steamer
he