CHAPTER IV.
THE BOAT-RACE.
At eight o'clock, on the evening of the third day of the passage, the lights of another steamer were soon in the distance, and apparently coming up very fast.

This was the signal for a general commotion on board the Patriot, and everything indicated that a steamboat-race was at hand.

Nothing can exceed the excitement attendant upon the racing of steamers on the Mississippi.
By the time the boats had reached Memphis they were side by side, and each exerting itself to get in advance of the other.

The night was clear, the moon shining brightly, and the boats so near to each other that the passengers were within speaking distance.

On board the Patriot the firemen were using oil, lard, butter, and even bacon, with woody for the purpose of raising the steam to its highest pitch.