Page:Life on the Mississippi (IA lifeonmississipptwai).pdf/170

164 I was quaking from head to foot, and I could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far,

"Quarter less twain! Nine and a half!"

We were drawing nine! My hands were in a nerveless flutter. I could not ring a bell intelligibly with them. I flew

"IF YOU LOVE ME, BACK HER."

to the speaking-tube and shouted to the engineer,—

"Oh, Ben, if you love me, back her! Quick, Ben! Oh, back the immortal soul out of her!"

I heard the door close gently, I looked around, and there stood Mr. Bixby, smiling a bland, sweet smile. Then the audience on the hurricane deck sent up a thundergust of humiliating laughter. I saw it all, now, and I felt meaner than the meanest man in human history. I laid in the lead, set the boat in her marks, came ahead on the engines, and said:—