A FRENCH COUNTRY INN 233 



had feasted, if not wisely, at least more profusely perhaps than 

 his mates, blubbered outright from the ache that too many cher- 

 ries had given him, and was glad to have Mr. Shaler take him 

 in his arms and carry him to the near-by hospital tent. The 

 couple of francs left in his hand gave a compensating joy to his 

 thrifty little Swiss soul. 



At Salins, another halting-place which lingers pleasantly 

 in the memory, letters of introduction from Mr. Jules Marcou 

 to his old friends were the means of giving Mr. Shaler some 

 pleasant geological and social experiences. Captain B. espe- 

 cially exerted himself to make known the local points of inter- 

 est. To one spot in particular a place of refreshment he 

 conducted the strangers with an enthusiasm that geological 

 sites pure and simple had failed to awaken. In answer to an 

 inquiry whether a luncheon had better be carried on that day's 

 excursion, his countenance suggested a good time coming that 

 allayed all doubts. The morning spent in driving and walking 

 through a fair and sunny land laid the foundation for keen and 

 appreciative appetites; therefore, at noon, the captain was 

 asked to fulfil his earlier promise. He prodded the nag and 

 soon there loomed in the distance a large wooden structure, 

 bare outside and apparently empty within ; but if at the sight 

 of the barren prospect the American countenances fell, the face 

 of the bold forager was lit with reassuring cheerfulness. Soon 

 the appearance of a comely Frenchwoman at the door a femi- 

 nine Boniface of typical looks and manner brought back 

 the abandoned hope. Evidently, from the nature of their greet- 

 ing, she and the captain were old and tried friends. Moreover, 

 as good luck would have it, the dejeuner had been ordered by 

 special messenger the day before, and did not, as was usually 

 the case, have to be gathered together at the last moment, then 

 wait for the charcoal to be bought, and the fire to be made be- 

 fore the cooking could begin. 



The announcement that the meal was served brought Mr. 

 Shaler to the foot of a staircase narrow and steep as a ladder, 



