HOSPITALITY. - 387 



is by some of our farmers considered a treat. Both sorts were produced, 

 but, for my part, I chose to stick to the cider. 



Supper over, we all neared the fire, and engaged in conversation. At 

 length our kind host addressed his wife as follows : — " Eliza, the gen- 

 tlemen would like to Ue down, I guess. What sort of bed can you fix 

 for them ?''' Eliza looked up with a smile, and said : " Why, Willy, 

 we wiU divide the bedding, and arrange half on the floor, on which we 

 can sleep very well, and the gentlemen wiU have the best we can spare 

 them." To this arrangement I immediately objected, and proposed lying 

 on a blanket by the fire ; but neither Willy nor Eliza would Usten. So 

 they arranged a part of their bedding on the floor, on which, after some 

 debate, we at length settled.. The Negroes were sent to their own cabin, 

 the young couple went to bed, and Mr Flint luUed us all asleep, with 

 a long story intended to shew us how passing strange it was that he 

 should have lost his way. 



" Tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," — and so forth. But 

 Aurora soon turned her off. Mr Speed, our host, rose, went to the door, 

 and returning assured us that the weather was too bad for us to attempt 

 proceeding. I really beheve he was heartily glad of it ; but anxious to 

 continue our journey, I desired Mr Flint to see about his horses. Eliza 

 by this time was up too, and I observed her whispering to her husband, 

 when he immediately said aloud, " To be sure, the gentlemen will eat 

 breakfast before they go, and I will shew them the way to the road." Ex- 

 cuses were of no avail. Breakfast was prepared and eaten. The weather 

 brightened a httle, and by nine we were under way. Willy on horse- 

 back headed us. In a few hours, oiu* cart arrived at a road, by follow- 

 ing which we at length got to the main one, and parted from our woods- 

 man with the greater regret that he would accept nothing from any of 

 us. On the contrary, telHng Mr Flint with a smile, that he hoped he 

 might some time again follow the longest track for a short cut, he bade 

 us adieu, and trotted back to his fair Eliza and his happy home. 



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