THE SECOND DISH. 89 



that fell to our lot. I knew that I was heavily 

 handicapped in performing this feat, for both my 

 companions were younger than myself, and Dillon 

 assuredly much more active, so on my return 

 journey I had quite a chuckle of satisfaction to 

 myself over the victory I had obtained. The sun 

 was setting when I reached camp, both my friends 

 had returned, both assumed an air of mystery which 

 I knew was indicative of some performance they had 

 enacted, that would give them a crow over me. I 

 naturally attempted to pump Jim and Umpiqua, but 

 they had evidently received instructions to be silent, 

 so my effort was unavailing. True, I noticed an 

 extra pot upon the fire, but this did not strike me as 

 strange, as it might contain a stew made from some 

 bird or beast that our people had killed during our 

 absence. At last dinner was served. The first 

 course was excellent and satisfying. However, a 

 second was produced. When the dish that covered 

 it was removed, an odour greeted our nostrils 

 that resembled the quintessence of musk bouquet. 

 Summarily it was ordered to be removed.* Then 

 naturally arose the question to my lips, What was 

 it ? I was not long detained in ignorance. The 

 failure of the piece de resistance to find favour set 

 Dillon's tongue going with the information that, it 

 was part of a splendid bull giraffe that he had killed 

 on his way to camp. Although our palate had not 

 * The young giraffe cows are excellent eating. 



