Our last day's batch,
which it was found impossible to get into the box, with all the ruffed
grouse, fifty at least in number, were tied up by the feet, two brace
and two brace, and hung in festoons round the inside rails of the front
seat and body, while about thirty hares dangled by their hind legs, with
their long ears flapping to and fro, from the back seat and baggage
rack. The wagon looked, I scarce know how, something between an English
stage-coach when the merry days of Christmas are at hand, and a
game-hunter's taxed cart.
The business of re-packing had been scarce accomplished, and Harry and
myself had just retired to change our shooting-jackets and coarse
fustians for habiliments more suitable for the day and our destination--
New York, to-wit, and Sunday--when forth came Tom, bedizened from top to
toe in his most new and knowing rig, and looking now, to do him justice,
a most respectable and portly yeoman.
A broad-brimmed, low-crowned, and long-napped white hat, set forth
assuredly to the best advantage his rotund, rubicund, good-humored phiz;
a clean white handkerchief circled his sturdy neck, on the voluminous
folds of which reposed in placid dignity the mighty collops of his
double chin.
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