The Captain’s face brightened up for a moment, and then suddenly resumed its vexed expression. He replied—
“Mademoiselle, although grateful to you, I regret to say that under the circumstances I cannot hope to run successfully against the Magnolia. We are not on equal terms. She is burning bacon hams, of which she has a large supply. I should have had the same, but after promising you not to run, I, of course, did not take any on board. It would be useless to attempt a race with only common cord-wood—unless indeed the Belle be much the faster boat, which we do not yet know, as we have never tried her speed.”
Here appeared to be a dilemma, and some of the ladies regarded Mademoiselle Besançon with looks of displeasure.
“Bacon hams!” she exclaimed; “bacon hams did you say, cher Capitaine? How many would be enough? Would two hundred be enough?”
“Oh! less than that,” replied the Captain.
“Here! Antoine! Antoine!” continued she, calling to the old steward. “How many bacon hams have you on board?”
“Ten barrels of them, Mademoiselle,” answered the steward, bowing respectfully.
“Ten barrels! that will do, I suppose? Cher Capitaine, they are at your service!”
“Mademoiselle, I shall pay you for them,” said the Captain, 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.”