FIFTY YEARS OF A SHOWMAN'S LIFE 



abstentions and in other ways, they were enabled 

 to bring to bear unexceptional appetites, or, as 

 they put it, to " come up to the mark sharp-set. 59 

 Among those who had left no stone unturned in 

 this direction was a f ree-f ooder, whom I knew very 

 well by sight, one Sam Bemister, renowned on the 

 banks of the Isis for his prowess as a boatman. 

 His bodily frame was of very ample proportions, 

 and no doubt liberal rationing was required for 

 its proper upkeep. At any rate, this was Sam's 

 opinion, which he reduced to practice when he 

 attended, as he usually did, this festive gathering. 

 On the occasion in question I was not sitting 

 sufficiently near him to observe how he comported 

 himself. My friend, however, from whom I derived 

 particulars of what transpired, was Sam's vis-d-vis, 

 whilst Sam's brother was seated alongside Sam. 

 Between the latter and my informant a couple of 

 ducks was placed, and my friend, not feeling equal 

 to dissecting them, said in the blandest of tones, 

 "Mr. Bemister, will you kindly carve those ducks?" 

 " Cert'nly," said Sam, and with that, and without 

 a moment's hesitation, he stuck his fork into one 

 duck and handed the latter on a plate to his 

 brother. He then plunged his fork into the breast 

 of the other duck and deposited the bird on his 

 own plate, remarking with pleasant affability to 

 those around " That's how I carves dooks ! " 

 The witnesses of this annihilation of their fondest 

 hopes looked unutterable things, but Sam was too 

 well set-up and too long in the reach to admit of 

 any free expression of views as to his method of 

 carving. The carver himself regarded the con- 

 sumption of such an insignificant trifle as a duck 



51 



