314 THE "BIG WOODS." 



nicely cooked, hunger is a sauce that Soyer or Blot could 

 never invent a substitute for. When the edge of their appe- 

 tite is taken off, the coals are lifted. The dumplings, now 

 hardened to the semblance of stones, are carefully broken 

 open, Avhen lo ! the birds appear divested of every particle of 

 skin and feather, smoking hot, with their delicate white 

 flesh fairly reeking with the rich juices which had been con- 

 fined by their unbroken skins while encased in their clay 

 matrices; but which trickle out as soon as the shells are 

 broken. The investigation of the cooking did not belie the 

 old hunter's assurances of its excellence. Never were more 

 delicious morsels eaten. Epicures would have gone wild 

 over such a new discovery in the cuisine. The honne douches 

 were pronounced incomparable. The stomach and intestines 

 were shriveled to a hard ball, and were as easily removed as 

 the kernel of a nut. So far from impairing the flavor of the 

 meat, it was adjudged that their retention imparted an ad- 

 ditional relish to it. When all had finished their birds and 

 thrown the bones to the dog, they expressed themselves 

 satisfied, and each wiped his well-used knife upon his sleeve, 

 and returned it to its case. Then pipe devotions followed. 

 I suppose there is no gratification more exquisite to smokers 

 than a good smoke after a full meal, all the conditions of 

 weather, bodily comfort, and temperament being favorable. 

 But especially is it grateful in the stillness of a forest-camp, 

 with the fire blazing brightly and throwing its warmth and 

 ruddy light full into one's face, the stars twinkling in the 

 blue canopy above, and sleep resting drowsily upon the 

 senses. It begets that positive repose which nature demands 

 for relaxed muscles and tried nerves. One can endure the 

 attacks of mosquitoes and flies complacently then, for he 

 realizes that in gratifying himself he is embarrassing the 

 movements of the enemy. 



Ah ! this pest, this inevitable pest of the sportsman and 

 detractor from his happiness ! We hear all about the poetry 

 of trout-fishing, but very little of its stQrn actualities. We 





