118 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



and fish, so that nothing should be done to disturb the game that 

 might be on the island. 



The next morning, as we came out from our tents with the 

 first grey light, the wind was still coming in from the land, laden 

 with the flavour of marsh and magnolia ; the negroes were poking 

 together the half-burned brands, and preparing the breakfast in 

 haste, or rather all the haste a negro ever assumes, and I plunged 

 into the sea with the happy anticipation of a grand hunt, and all 

 aglow to hear the first cry and ringing shot of the battue. 



" Good-morning to you, Miss Jackson ; you look like Diana 

 this morning, in your canvas jacket and gown." 



"And you like a shipwrecked mariner, with your dripping 

 locks, and jacket on your arm." 



"Where's Mike?" 



" Mars Mike 's agwone off he shell on he back, like a gopher," 

 said Scipio. 



" There he comes ; he has been around the head." 



" How are you, Poke ? " 



" O — ho — hum — oh — ho — heo-o — hum ! " yawned the Doctor, 

 rubbing his eyes, as he staggered out of the tent 



" How are you ? " I reiterated. 



" Oh, ho ! — there 's one of those dogs named Music, I believe. 

 I *d have his name changed after to-night I didn't get a wink 

 o' sleep." 



" Hulloa, gentlemen, a pleasant day to you ! " said Jackson, 

 just protruding his head from the canvas. " You boys, hurry 

 there with breakfast!" and with this general order, the head 

 disappeared. 



" Oh, oh ! dear me ! Break — breakfast — on thy cold, grey 

 stones, oh ! oh ! sea — and I would that my tongue could 

 utter" 



" Pete, you boy ! pour some water on the Doctor to wake 

 him ; he 's dreaming yet" 



" You, Sam ! tie up that Black Bess ; she will be clean gone 

 presently. Where is Sumpter ? " 



" Mars Jackson, Pomp say you 's agwine to left* him shoot a 

 gun to-day ? " 



