SUMMKR RETREAT IN ARKANSAS. 45 



of cities, as it would to have the articles composing it 

 exposed for sale in the markets. 



Bob Herring managed it as follows : he took a long 

 wooden skewer, and having thrust its point through a 

 small piece of the liver fat, he then followed it by a 

 small piece of the liver, then the fat, then the liver, and 

 so, on, until his most important material was consumed ; 

 when this was done, he opened the " bear's handker- 

 chief,'' or caul, and wrapped it round the whole, and 

 thus roasted it before the fire. Like all the secrets in 

 cookery, this dish depends, for its flavor and richness, 

 upon giving exactly the proper quantities, as a super- 

 abundance of one, or the other, would completely spoil 

 the disli. 



" I was always unlucky, boys," said Bob — 

 throwing the bear skin and its contents over his 

 shoulders, '' but I have had my fill often of caul fat and 

 liver — many a man who thi)iks he's hicky, lives and dies 

 as ignorant of its vartue, as a possum is of corn cake. 

 If I ever look dead, boys, don't bury me until you see I 

 don't open my eyes when the caul fat and liver is ready 

 for eating ; if I don't move when you show me it, then 

 I am a done goner, sure," 



Night closed in before we reached our homes — the 

 excitement of the morning wore upon our spirits and 

 energy, but the evening's meal of caul fat and liver, and 

 otlior " fixins." or B(»b IT.Tring's philosophical reujarks. 



