106 WARWICK WOODLANDS. 



and so forth. But do you think the Commodore will 

 join us here to-morrow?" 



"No! I don't think so," Harry said, "I know it! Did 

 not he arrive in New York last first of July, from a 

 yachting tour at four oclock in the afternoon; receive 

 my note saying that I was off to Tom's that morning; and 

 start by the Highlander at five that evening? Did he 

 not get a team at Whited's and travel all night through, 

 and find me just sitting down to breakfast, and change 

 his toggery, and out, and walk all day — like a trump as 

 he is? And did not we, by the same token, bag — besides 

 twenty-five more killed that we could not find — one hun- 

 dred and fifteen cock between ten o'clock and sunset; 

 while you, you false deceiver, were kicking up your heels 

 in Buffalo? Is not all this a true bill, and have you now 

 the impudence to ask me whether / think the Commodore 

 will come? I only wish I was as sure of a day's sport 

 to-morrow, as I am of his being to the fore at luncheon 

 time!" 



"At luncheon time, hey ? I did not know that you looked 

 for him so early ! Will he be in time, then, for the after- 

 noon's shooting?" 



"Why, certainly he will," returned Archer. "The wind 

 has been fair up the river all day long, though it has 

 been but light ; and the lanthe will run up before it like a 

 race-horse. I should not be much surprised if he were 

 here to breakfast." 



"And that we may be up in time for him, if perchance 

 he should, let us to bed forthwith," said Frank with a 

 heavy yawn. 



"I am content," answered Harry, finishing his cup of 

 coffee, and flinging the stump of his cheroot into the fire. 

 "Goodnight! Timothy will call you in the morning." 



"Goodnight, old feUow." 



And the friends parted merrily, in prospect of a pleas- 

 ant day^s sport on the morrow. 



