133
the neighborhocd we have seen dorians growing upon large trees and piled up for sale in the market. It is oval in shape, a third larger than the pineapple, and greenish-yellow in co.or, We selected three fies specimens, and sent them on board with our baskets of fruits, As they sare brought on deck the Captain aniils the air and ealls out, “take them d—d dorians for- ward,”
The next day at eleven o'clock ia the time fixed for the trial. A majority of our pas— sengers are Koglish, but thefew Americans on hoard are resdy to back their nstioral ehsmpion. The Secretary of the Russian Legation at Pekin Is selected as umpire, and the preliminary arrangements are very simple. On the metn deck, just forward of the engines, iga smal table. on whieh is placed a dorian, a knife and two teaspoonr. Beside the table are two chairs for tha prin cipal actora. The conditions are that nel- ther champion shall have the right of hold- ing his nose during the contest. At tha given hour the table is surrounded by all the paszengers and most of the efficers of the ship. ‘The question ariees whashall ext the dorian? Umpire declines and the steward volunteers. The fruit is revered length wise, disclosing a white, custard-like pulp, rather inviting to the eye—but, ok! the amell is overpowering. The crowd fail back to the rail, every man holding his nose. At thisetage the chances seem in fa- vor of the Englishman, who is the younger snd more vigorous of the two; but Yankeo is tongh, aud not wanting in nerve, when it somes to a question of national credit, Um- pire gives the word “charge,” and each champion makes a dive with his spoon, ard swallows without blinking a mouthful of the custard. 1f is done so quickly that American cin ecatcely detect the flavor, which is really not disagreeable. Russia falls back one pace and agsin calls “charge.” Another mouthful is simultaneously swal- lowed by the champions. At the third charge, as American coolly raised s apoon- ful to his mouth, be glanced scrogs the ta- ble and saw the game was up. Britons’ cheek had lost its roses, his spoon dropped before it reached his lips, and he bolted to the slde of the ship—he had thrown up the spoon,
Umpire’s decision in favor of “our Amer- ican Cousin” was received with cheers, and the waiters were summoned to throw over- board the remnant of the dorian, and wash
