on all decks, among them the Gilmores, the
Californian, and Watson, that the singers had lit on a new bearing for
their lines and were singing them now in compliment to a certain two
whose story was by this time known to all on board. Whether, back
between the sweeping cranks and shafts of the two great engines and
wheels, behind the "doctor" and the "donkey" and with Hugh and Ramsey at
his elbows, the alert Gideon heard the song at all was doubtful; so deep
in debate were the two men, the quiet and the loud, on dimensions and
powers: length, beam, hold, stroke, diameters of cylinders and of
wheels, in such noted cases as the _Chevalier_, the _Eclipse_, the _J.
M. White_, the _Natchez_, _Antelope_, _Paragon_, _Quakeress_, and
_Autocrat_. The three were there yet when the song's last echo died,
with Island Sixty-four eastward astern, Sixty-five southward ahead, the
brief twilight failing and the supper bell ringadang-dinging.

At table a far-away whistle softly roared and the _Enchantress_
sonorously responded.

"A Hayle boat," said Ramsey to Hugh; "the _Regent_."

"And we're singing 'Lindy' again!" said Mrs. Gilmore.

Gideon, busy talking a few seats away, talked straight on, but a cloud
on his brow showed now that he had heard the song the earlier time.
Every one tried hard to listen to him and the melody with the same ears.
Under the table somebody's toe had no better manners than gently to beat
time.

LVIII

'LINDY LOWE

[Music: Come, smil-in' 'Lind-y Lowe,... de pooti-ess gal I know,...
On de fin-ess boat dat ev-eh float, In de O-hi-o, De Mas-sis-sip-pi aw
de O-hi-o.]

Come, smilin' 'Lindy Lowe, teef whiteh dan de snow,
On de finess boat dat eveh float,
In de O--hi--o,
De Mas--sis--sip--pi aw de O--hi--o.

Come, smilin' 'Lindy Lowe, to de Lou'siana sho',
(Chorus)

Come, smilin' 'Lindy Lowe, by de Gu'f o' Mexico,
(Chorus)

Come, smilin' 'Lindy Lowe, to de bayous deep an' slow,
(Chorus)

Come, smilin' 'Lindy Lowe, whah de moss wave, to an' fro,
(Chorus)

Come, smilin' 'Lindy Lowe, de bell done ring to go,
(Chorus)

Come, smilin' 'Lindy Lowe, whah de muscadimons grow,
(Chorus)

Come, smilin' 'Lindy Lowe, befo' de whistle blow',
(Chorus)

Com