276 THE HIVE OF THE BEE-HUNTER. 



" Prairie hens of a most delicate flavor followed 

 after the meats ; they were really delicious ; they came 

 from Illinois, somebody said, and showed the enterprise 

 of the landlord of the hotel — so I thought and uttered, 

 and my feelings in this matter were entirely appreciated 

 by the little group around me. 



" The becasse^ as they were announced, excited my 

 unbounded astonishment; there they were, in a large 

 dish, packed side by side * like newly-married couples,' 

 round as globes, and looking as inviting as ice in 

 August. 



" I took one in my plate, turned it over and over, 

 and discovered to my horror that the bird had probably 

 committed suicide by running its own bill through its 

 body, and as I drew it out I ejaculated, 



" ' Woodcock, as I live ! ! '" 



" My bashful friend responded, ' Exactly so.' 



" I helped every body ; the birds flew about under 

 my administration as if they were alive and mad, and 

 there was a general display of the most cheering good 

 humor at my beneficent liberality. 



" In the mean time, the two long tables of the hotel 

 were deserted, the waiters at them were walking about 

 munching bits of bread and other odd ends, piling up 

 plates, and 'clearing ofi";' but our little party grew 

 more and more merry and happy, wine, delicious and 

 old, flowed freely ; course after course followed, and then 

 came a thousand varieties of the confectioner's skill. 



