284 THE Aroostook Woops. 

‘* Now, Cap, that’s derogatory ; you should be truly thank- 
ful to marm nature. 
‘Yes; and the river drivers, who haven’t left us a stick of 
hard wood standing, for the broiling of our birds.” 
Next morning, contrary to our usual custom, we sleep very 
late. The day before was a long one for us and a little hard 
on the muscle, and the sun on this morning was up before us, 
but did not get the chance to see our faces while in bed, as it 
arose behind us, our tent facing the west. 
‘© Which accounts for sleeping late,” says the captain. 
‘¢ And, hist! what’s that?” said he, sitting up in his buffalo 
ba 
‘¢ Well, if this isn’t funny.” 
‘¢ What?” 
eet ook!” 
Boys, you that may seldom see a grouse alive, except on 
the wing, we won’t get roily if you doubt this, though it is a 
true bill. We had pitched the tent close to the partly con- 
sumed back logs left by the river drivers, in front of which 
was their large bed of ashes, and here had made a small fire 
to cook our supper. It being a mild night we did not need 
more fire and slept without its pleasant company. Every 
spark had gone out early in the night, yet the ashes that 
morning were warm (from the morning sun,) and there, be- 
tween the logs and ourselves, three feet from our toes, was a 
partridge dusting in the warm ashes. When the captain sat 
up she was as much surprised as he, but merely took a few 
steps to one side, stopped and shook a cloud of the dust from 
out her feathers on the air. Then as we laughed a little, she 
took the hint that she had acted ludicrous, looked a bit angry, 
elevated her slight crest and neck feathers, and with a ‘‘squit, 
