"A miss hit," said Captain 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.