A Sportsman 407 



pelled to take it on. Meyers had the quality of a 

 great soldier and worker in the essential of a vigorous 

 appetite, and exhibited a commendable promptness in 

 appearance at meal times, and to use an expression 

 of Hussey's "could bolt four days' rations at a single 

 meal." His cultivated taste was evinced particularly 

 in the selection of our delicacies, which were limited for 

 the campaign. We had not called upon him for as- 

 sistance in any particular, nor had he proffered any. 

 As we were ending our breakfast it commenced to 

 sprinkle, with an appearance of increase, and we 

 made haste to finish up and take the shelter of our 

 teams. As we were completing the dish-washing act, 

 I asked Meyers if he would assist in packing away 

 the washed tableware, and aid in stowing away the 

 cases and baskets in the wagon which stood ready 

 for departure. I could hardly believe my senses 

 when he declined, and there was no time for dis- 

 cussion at the moment. At midday, when we rested 

 for the noon meal and he stood about in readiness 

 for his usual onset, I asked if I could be sure that 

 he had declined to aid in loading up our wagon, at 

 the commencement of the rain that morning; to 

 which he answered, "Quite so," and that before coming 

 to America he had solemnly vowed never to engage 

 in any menial labor. I had pretty well digested the 

 matter before asking, and quietly informed him 

 that his vow was a most unfortunate one, as it would 

 effectually debar him from any participation in our 

 meal now preparing, or in any other during our ex- 

 cursion, as we were doing our own woi"k, the cooking and 

 the cleaning up, hand in hand in social union, each 

 doing his share, and quite willing to do so in proper 



