74 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



which I pulled in pieces to find the secret. But the true teacher 

 is patience. Try again every time you fail." 



" They have kept well for so warm a climate." 



"That's a woman's secret," said Jackson. "Lou bakes her 

 birds in the oven." 



" I '11 tell you a joke," said Miss Jackson, " about baking birds. 

 One day there was a bird pie in the oven, the pride of our new 

 cook, and on looking at it, I found it done, and the fire low 

 enough to dry some birds I had just set up. Accordingly, I stood 

 them in the oven all covered with white strings, in front of the 

 pie. When dinner was ready, Dinah went for the pie, but pre- 

 sently came running back, calling out, ' As sure as I 's 'live, 

 missus, dem birds is out ob de pie, or else dere ghosts am standin' 

 dere in dere grave-clo'se. Oh Lor', help us ! ' " 



" What do you do when you are where you cannot have the 

 use of an oven ? " 



" Oh, I do the best I can ; use pepper-grass, dry them in the 

 sun, and then let them slide." 



 How pleasant it is to have a copy of nature's works by your 

 side, so well prepared that it reminds you of the original bird," 

 remarked the Doctor, laying back on a wooden bench, looking at 

 the hawks over head, and swinging his feet back and forward 

 under his lounge. 



"Yes," answered Miss Jackson, "and to study the positions 

 and manners of the birds and quadrupeds, so that you can copy 

 in your subject the true position and figure, and not burlesque 

 them. So, sometimes, what would be thrown from father's game- 

 bag to the cook to be plucked, or, more likely still, cast away as 

 worthless, with a little care and study resumes its old shape, takes 

 again its natural pose, flashes its eye, and remains ' a joy for ever.' " 



As Miss Jackson talked, her grey eye kindled, and a blush 

 brightened either cheek. The Doctor raised himself gradually to 

 a sitting position, then to his feet, and then he walked across the 

 floor, saying, in his clear hearty tone : " Give me your hand, Lou 

 Jackson ! who cares which comes first, the love of nature or the 

 mind, to appreciate her, the one is sure to produce the other." 



" Wal that 's so," said Mike. 



