While I was walking on deck after lunch, Captain Corsican came up. I saw, from the thoughtful expression on his face, that he had something to tell me.

The corpse, sewn in a piece of sail and stretched on a board, with a cannon ball at the feet, was carried by four men.

“Well, then, we shall have a storm, perhaps a thunder-storm, before the day is over.”

“A hundred dollars that he will step on board with his right foot first.”

“Let us go to the stern; that is the place of rendezvous.”

I had been obliged to inform Captain Anderson of the incidents relating to the duel which had taken place on board.

The numbers on the principal thoroughfares are a very practical but monotonous arrangement.

“Right; we may expect to reach Niagara Falls at night instead of in the evening. That is not my fault, but we must be resigned.”

“This Terrapin Tower, my dear sir, will some day fall into the abyss, and perhaps sooner than is expected.”

“They are here, and going on as well as possible; Fabian full of hope, almost merry; and our poor Ellen little by little regaining reason.”

Never did I feel more inclined to pitch an engineer into the water!

“I will take the command of this steamer, I will defy all the ships of the Federal marine for speed, and I will run the blockade of one of the southern ports.”

“There is always need of a strong man, and if to prove my strength you will try me with three or four of the strongest fellows of your crew, I am ready.”

The sailors who had run up to hear what was going on, burst out laughing, when they saw Crockston’s disconcerted look, as he went back to the forecastle.

“Let us admit, then, that I am brave, and allow me to stay by you.”

Nevertheless, James Playfair, with telescope in his hand, was attentively examining the route to be followed.

“General Beauregard has told me that your master will be shot within a week.”

“Good! You, Captain, will go to General Beauregard, and ask a favour of him which he will not refuse you.

“Have the lanterns and the fires on deck extinguished; there is a great deal too much light, but we cannot help the reflection from the engine-rooms.”

In the evening there was a grand ball and banquet at Uncle Vincent’s house, with a large distribution of shillings to the crowd collected in Gordon Street.