TOM DRAW'S VISIT TO PINE BROOK, 



THE SPORTSMAN'S SPREAD. 



THE long cold winter had passed away and been succeeded 

 by the usual alternations of damp sloppy thaws, and piercing 

 eastern gales, which constitute a North American Spring ; and 

 now the croaking of the bull-frogs, heark from every pool and 

 puddle, the bursting buds of the young willows, and, above all, 

 the appearance of Shad in market, announced to the experienced 

 sportsman, the arrival of the English Snipe upon the marshes. 

 For some days Harry Archer had been busily employed in 

 overhauling his shooting apparatus, exercising his setters, 

 watching every change of wind, and threatening a speedy ex- 

 pedition into the meadows of New Jersey, so soon as three days 

 of easterly rain should be followed by mild weather from the 

 southward. Anxiously looked for, and long desired, at last the 

 eastern storm set in, cold, chilling, misty, with showers of smo- 

 ky driving rain, and Harry for two entire days had rubbed his 

 hands in ecstacy ; while Timothy stood ever in the stable door 

 his fists plunged deep in the recesses of his breeches' pockets, 

 and a queer smile illuminating the honest ugliness of his bluff 

 visage patiently watching for a break in the dull clouds his 

 harness hanging the while in readiness for instant use, with 

 every crest and turret as bright as burnished gold ; his wagon 

 all prepared, with bear-skins and top-coats displayed ; and his 

 own kit packed up in prompt anticipation of the first auspicious 

 moment. The third dark morning had dawned dingily ; the 

 rain still drifted noiselessly against the windows, while gutters 

 overflowed, and kennels swollen into torrents announced its 

 volume and duration. There was not then the least temptation 

 to stir out of doors, and, sulky myself, I was employed in coax- 

 ing a sulky cigar beside a yet more sulky fire, with an empty 

 coffee-cup and a large quarto volume of Froissart upon the 

 table at my elbow, when a quick cheery triple rap at the street 



