THE FISHINC4-EAGLE. 45 



Medoc sparkled like rubies in the glasses. Then 

 came cofiFee and liqueurs, all first-rate; and these, 

 •with regalias, completed a repast of which a cordon 

 bleu might have been proud. 



Whilst we thus gave ourselves up to forgetfulness 

 in this American Capua, night came on, and just 

 as we desired, a fine moon rose upon the horizon, 

 shedding its silver radiance over the star-spangled 

 heavens, when Sandy Hair, the fisherman of the 

 lake, came to rouse us from our dream, and inform 

 us that it was " time to go." Seizing the hamper 

 containing the osprey, and placing it on his head 

 with one hand, whilst in the other he held a three- 

 pronged spear with a fir handle, he led the way- 

 down the garden to the banks of the lake, where 

 we found a good-sized boat securely moored. 



" Good luck to ye, gentlemen,^' cried Gibson 

 from the verandah, whither he had accompanied us, 

 and to whose good wishes we replied -with a fervent 

 '' Thank you." 



" You must keep quiet, massas,^' Avhispered Sandy 

 Hair, casting the boat loose, and paddling it through 

 a bed of water-lilies. '' De captin' know berry well 

 how easy the salmon are frighted. When we are 

 once out in de lake, there must be only signs and 

 no talkee." 



" Quite right, Sandy," replied my friend, and I 

 of course promised to obey orders. 



The black then began to row vigorously, but 



