At about five o’clock in the afternoon, the captain’s ten minutes, with which he had secured an occasional fresh passenger, seemed actually to have expired.  Our two friends on board, however, had been so often disappointed that they did not allow a single bright anticipation to enliven their hearts, till they actually heard the order given “to cast off the fasts and haul in the planks.”  And even then their hopes were instantly dampened by the sudden reversion of the order.

This unexpected change had been produced in the mind of the captain by seeing a splendid equipage dashing at a furious pace across the levee, the driver of which had, by his gestures, made it appear that his vehicle contained passengers.

The carriage drew up opposite the boat, and Emily Dumont and Jaspar alighted from it.  Picking their way through the crowd of dealers in cigars, shells, and obscene books, who had just been ejected from the boat, they were soon on board.  A few moments’ delay in getting up the baggage of the new comers, and the welcome “cast off the fasts and haul in the plank” was again heard.  The rapid jingling of the engineer’s bell succeeded, and, to the joy of some three hundred souls on board, she backed out into the stream and commenced her voyage.  Uncle Nathan breathed freely; the load of anxiety which had oppressed him was removed.  But his joy was short-lived, for Henry Carroll informed him that the boat was headed down river!

“What in all natur’ can be the meanin’ of this?” exclaimed our Northerner, wofully perplexed.

“I cannot tell,” replied Henry; “but I am much afraid we shall yet have to stay over Sunday in New Orleans.”

“The Lord deliver me!” ejaculated Uncle Nathan.  “I will go into the swamp back of the city, afore I will look upon the iniquities of that Sodom again.”

“Rather a hard penance; but let us first see what this movement will amount to.”

At this moment Captain Drawler descended from the wheel-house, and was immediately besieged by a dozen angry passengers, who had resolved to lynch him, or leave the boat,—­which he dreaded more,—­if satisfaction was not given.

The stoical captain, with perfect coolness, heard their complaints and their threats.  He waited with commendable patience till they had vented their indignation, and then informed them that he only intended to receive a little freight at the lower city, which would not detain him “ten minutes.”

The captain’s assertion, with the exception of the ten minutes, was soon verified by the boat touching at a sort of depot for naval and military stores.  The “freight” which the Chalmetta was to take consisted of several long boxes, which lay near the landing.  These boxes contained coffins, in which were the remains of some sixteen officers, who had paid the debt of nature in the discharge of their duties in Mexico.