254 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



melted it, the liver was basted by the dropping fat, -with- 

 out any further attention being needed. Next a redfish, 

 with its scales left on, but carefully drawn, and wiped 

 dry, was rolled in green leaves, and buried deep in the 

 hot ashes. 



Poke, by this time, had completed his ship-biscuit 

 powder, and been to the beach with Pompey Duffield 

 Sah, from whence he returned with two large bivalve 

 shells, resembling gigantic clam-shells, which had been 

 left by the waves on the beach, which he carefully 

 washed, and greased with bear's fat, and then sprinkled 

 with his ship-biscuit powder. 



" That a poultice you are going to have there, Doc- 

 tor ?" said Jackson. 



" No, gruel," I suggested. Poke maintained a scorn- 

 ful silence, continuing his labor and making another trip 

 to the beach with Pompey, from which they came with 

 the tin pan full of oysters, which he proceeded to divide 

 equally among his four half shells. When the shells were 

 full, he sifted the balance of his ship-biscuit over them, 

 and placed them in front of the fire. 



" Scolloped oysters, by the moustache of Soyer ! Doc- 

 tor, you're a genius," said Jackson. 



Lou Jackson made the coffee by boiling the water in 

 the tin coffee-pot, and then tying up a sufficient quantity 

 of ground coffee in a canvas bag, placed the bag in the 

 pot which was kept simmering over the coals. Mike 

 had cut several slices of venison, and laying them across 

 two iron ramrods as a substitute for a gridiron, was caro 



