146 John Barhman. 



going the ordeal). The}' have ah'eady partaken of 

 a substantial supper, and are talking over the sport 

 and triumph of the da}'. Two noble bucks and a 

 doe have been brought Irome, swung.across the front 

 of the saddles. According to plajitation etiquette, 

 the deer taken belongs io tlie fortunate hunter, 

 whose shot brought him to the groui]^l. Therefore 

 a fine supply of venison and game is secure, not 

 only for the Pastor's table, but for #ie sick and deli- 

 cate in his flock, wlio will share iiuthe spoils of the 

 chase. 



John Audubon is making a sii^gestion — that 

 every one of the company be 're([uired to -prepare a 

 verse for a poem to be sung to a time- honored 

 Southern ditty : " Clare dc kitcJieu, old JVjlh, young- 

 folks, OldViryinny nebber tireJ' The proposition is re- , 

 ceived with applause. This is Thursday night : Sat- 

 urday the Parson must be at home, therefore the poets 

 must finish their verses by Friday evening. The vote 

 is given, by acclamation, that .Jolm Audubon, who 

 has a reputation in that line, should be the minstreL 

 The next morning is a rare occasion. Quite a little 

 company have asseml^led from a neighboring plan- 

 tation. At the wide-open door, appear tlie ebony, 

 smiling faces of Sambo, March and otliers who kept 

 the deer stands, etc., yesterday. 



Without delay, .John Auchdjon appears in his 

 hunter's dress, liorn at his side and violin under his 

 chin. 



The first verse is laudatory of the hospitality of 

 the Master of tlie Ceremonies, Dr. Desel. In tlie verses 



