By the motions of the Chalmetta it was plain that, though incapable of
accomplishing any wonderful feat in the attainment of speed, she had a
considerable amount of that commodity somewhat vulgarly termed "spunk."
As she passed the mouth of the Yazoo river, another steamer, apparently
of her own calibre, rounded gracefully into the channel, from a
wood-yard. This boat--the Flatfoot, No. 3--seemed, by her straining and
puffing, to throw the gauntlet to the Chalmetta; a challenge, real or
imaginary, which the latter made haste to accept,--or, rather, her
sleepy firemen did, for, without leave or license, they crammed her
furnaces to their utmost capacity. The effects of this movement were
soon perceptible in every part of the boat, for she creaked and groaned
like a ship in a gale. But the Flatfoot, No. 3, had the lead, and seemed
to gain upon her rival,--a circumstance which seemed to rouse the
lethargic firemen of the Chalmetta to the highest pitch of excitement,
for they packed the furnaces more closely still.
Maxwell saw, with much satisfaction, the prospect of a race; not that he
expected in this instance to enjoy the excitement which, with "fast
men," is consequent upon such an occasion.
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