Before I had entered into conversation with the Captain, I saw a
barouche approaching on the opposite side, apparently coming from the
French quarter of the city. It was a handsome equipage, driven by a
well-clad and evidently well-fed black, and as it drew near, I could
perceive that it was occupied by a young and elegantly-attired lady.
I cannot say why, but I felt a presentiment, accompanied perhaps by a
silent wish, that the occupant of the barouche was about to be a
fellow-passenger. It was not long before I learnt that such was her
intention.
The barouche drew up on the crest of the Levee, and I saw the lady
directing some inquiry to a bystander, who immediately pointed to our
Captain. The latter, perceiving that he was the object inquired after,
stepped up to the side of the carriage, and bowed to the lady. I was
close to the spot, and every word reached me.
"Monsieur! are you the captain of the Belle of the West?"
The lady spoke in French, a smattering of which the Captain in his
intercourse with the Creoles had picked up.
"Yes, madame," was the reply.
"I wish to take passage with you."
"I shall be most happy to accommodate you, madame. There is still one
state-room disengaged, I believe, Mr Shirley?"
Here the Captain appealed to the clerk, in order to ascertain if such
was the case.
"Never mind!" said the lady, interrupting him, "for the matter of a
state-room it is of no importance! You will reach my plantation before
midnight, and therefore I shall not require to sleep aboard."
The phrase, "my plantation," evidently had an effect upon the Captain.
Naturally not a rude man, it seemed to render him still more attentive
and polite. The proprietor of a Louisiana plantation is a somebody not
to be treated with nonchalance; but, when that proprietor chances to be
a young and charming lady, who could be otherwise than amiable? Not
Captain B., commander of the "Belle of the West!" The very name of his
boat negatived the presumption!
Smiling blandly, he inquired where he was to land his fair charge.
"At Bringiers," replied the lady. "My residence is a little below, but
our landing is not a good one; besides, there is some freight which it
would be better to put ashore at Bringiers."
Here the occupant of the barouche pointed to a train of drays, loaded
with barrels and boxes, that had just driven up, and halted in the rear
of the carriage.
The sight of the freight had a still further pleasant effect on the
Captain, who was himself _part owner_ of his boat. He became profuse in
offers of service, and expressed his willingness to accommodate his new
passenger in every way she might desire.
"Monsieur Capitaine," continued this handsome lady, still remaining
seated in her carriage, and speaking in a tone of good-natured
seriousness, "I must make one condition with you."
"Please to name it, madame."
"Well then! It is reported that your boat is likely to have a race with
some other one. If that be so, I cannot become your passenger." The
Captain looked somewhat disconcerted. "The fact is," continued she, "I
had a narrow escape once before, and I am determined to run no such risk
in future."
"Madame--," stammered the Captain--then hesitating--
"Oh, then!" interrupted the lady, "if you cannot give me the assurance
that you will not race, I must wait for some other boat."
The Captain hung his head for some seconds. He was evidently reflecting
upon his answer. To be thus denied the anticipated excitement and
pleasure of the race--the victory which he confidently expected, and its
grand consequences; to appear, as it were, afraid of trying the speed of
his boat; afraid that she would be beaten; would give his rival a large
opportunity for future bragging, and would place himself in no enviable
light in the eyes of his crew and passengers--all of whom had already
made up their minds for a race. On the other hand, to refuse the
request of the lady--not very unreasonable when properly viewed--and
still more reasonable when it was considered that that lady was the
proprietress of several dray-loads of freight, and when still further
considered that that lady was a rich _plantress_ of the "French coast,"
and might see fit next fall to send several hundred casks of sugar and
as many hogsheads of tobacco down on his (the Captain's) boat;--these
considerations, I say, made the request quite reasonable. And so we
suppose, upon reflection, it must have appeared to Captain B--, for
after a little hesitation he granted it. Not with the best grace,
however. It evidently cost him a struggle; but interest prevailed, and
he granted it.
"I accept your conditions, madame. The boat shall _not_ run. I give
you my promise to that effect."
"_Assez_! thanks! Monsieur le Capitaine; I am greatly obliged to you.
If you will be so good as to have my freight taken aboard. The carriage
goes along. This gentleman is my steward. Here, Antoine! He will look
to everything. And now pray, Capitaine, when do you contemplate
starting?"
"In fifteen minutes, madame, at the latest."
"Are you sure of that, mon Capitaine?" she inquired, with a significant
laugh, which told she was no stranger to the want of punctuality of the
boats.
"Quite sure, madame," replied the Captain; "you may depend on the time."
"Ah! then, I shall go aboard at once!" And, so saying, she lightly
tripped down the steps of the barouche, and giving her arm to the
Captain, who had gallantly proffered himself, was conducted to the
ladies' cabin, and of course for a time lost to the admiring eyes, not
only of myself, but of a goodly number of others who had already been
attracted to gaze upon this beautiful apparition.