SUPPEE. 261 



ing, was broken up and piled on the board. And, finally, 

 the tin pan, the only tin pan in the company, was half 

 filled with the savory stew, and j)nt under the Doctor's 

 nose, to his evident satisfaction, and his face broadened in 

 spite of himself, as the delicate fragrance of venison, eggs, 

 bird, and bear's fat, mingled with chestnuts and savory 

 herbs, ascended to his nostrils. 



Hunting-knives were applied with vigor, and, after a 

 short interval of busy silence, uiere was nothing left on 

 the board but a portion of Bruin's carcass, the stew, and 

 one half of the turkey-hen, and these would have 

 stood but little chance, had not there been the remem- 

 brance of the ducks and snipe that were still by the fire, 

 not cooking, but just smiling, as the Doctor expressed 

 it. The stew had been pronounced good, but not as 

 good as it will be to-morrow morning, for a stew is like 

 wine, and improves by keeping, and a gentle cooking, 

 oft repeated, makes it more grateful still. 



"!N"ow, Doctor, -I think the time has come for the 

 game," said I ; " don't you ?" 



" I do. Let the game be served," said he, with a wave 

 of his hand. 



" You will have to serve it yourself, then," replied Lou. 

 " Rose is eating among the men ; just hear them laugh !" 



The loud, clear notes of the other party sounded from 

 the farther side of the fire, Avhere tliey were discoursing 

 huge pieces of venison and bear's meat with a series of 

 cachinnations that resembled the morning rejoicings of a 

 gang of turkeys. 



