an oyster? That because our friend Captain Toby yesterday dined on Bologna sausage, the component parts of which are uncertain, he ought to-day to be barking like a dog, neighing like a horse, or braying like a jackass? That in now addressing you, gentlemen, and refuting these abominable heresies, I am merely uttering the sentiments of a clam, or a bull-frog, or a mountain grouse, having recently partaken of all these luxuries? That our cook, Dr. Campbell, is merely a large sturgeon with hind-legs, because he happens to be fond of sturgeon? Out upon such monstrous and absurd doctrines! I hope, gentlemen, the good sense of this Association may never again be insulted by views so unworthy the age of civilization in which we live!"

MAN, ON THE JUDGE'S THEORY.

This rebuke was so unlike the general tenor of the Judge's remarks, which were almost invariably characterized by great courtesy; it was so sudden, warm, and unexpected, that for a moment Mr. Wilkins was taken aback and rendered quite speechless. It was only for a moment, however, for his resources were too prolific, and his spirit of too unyielding a character, to permit of such an easy victory. He was about to indulge in a very sarcastic retort, bearing with great severity upon those incredulous members of society who never believe in any

thing which is not susceptible of proof by the double rule of three, when Captain Toby, who was a little impatient to proceed on the hunt, interfered to preserve peace. The proposition submitted by the Captain gave an entirely new turn to the argument.

"Gentlemen," said he, "there is a great deal to be said on both sides of the question, as I know by personal experience. I am intimately acquainted with all the trails that lead to the great citadel of Truth, having been there on several occasions. The very best of them, in my opinion, is a little NOURISHMENT. I propose, therefore, that we all take a pull at the blue keg, and consider the matter amicably decided in favor of both parties."

This proposition was greeted with a shout of approval, in which both his Honor and Mr. Wilkins heartily joined. The blue keg was brought forward, and every gentleman present became fully satisfied that Truth lay at the bottom of it, for all seemed to be in search of it in that direction. In a few minutes more the party had scattered out in the various directions suggested by Captain Toby. The only occupants of the camp were the old black Doctor and our friend Tom Fry.

As the day advanced the popping of rifles and shot-guns all around on the hill-sides became absolutely inspiring. It was evident that the hunters were enjoying an extraordinary amount of success. Mr. Fry began to feel lonesome. There was something rather depressing and inglorious in his position. Besides, what would be the result if the hunters should happen to drive all the grizzly bears in the country in toward the camp? Mr. Fry reflected for some time, and at length thought he would like to go out and kill a deer also.

"Campbell," said he to the Doctor, who was engaged in stirring up the venison stew, "a thought has struck me!"

"Golly, das bad!" answered the Doctor, looking up a little incredulous. "Did he struck you in de stomach ?"

"No-I say a thought has struck me." "Oh, das it, eh? D-d-did you hit him back agin ?"

"Campbell, what would you say if I were to go out and kill a buck within three hundred yards of camp?"

"Oh, gway fum here, Mass'r Fry!" said the Doctor, laughing, "you jest want to fool d' ole nigger."

"Not at all, Doctor; I am perfectly in earn

est. Our friend Captain Toby has informed me that if I dress in a deer-skin and wear the head of a buck it will be a sure method of attracting all the deer in the vicinity, and driving away the bears. He says he has often caught a dozen fawns a day by assuming that costume and throwing a little Scotch snuff in their eyes as soon as they came near enough."

The Doctor opened his eyes very wide at this information, but merely remarked that Captain Toby "know'd a heap of funny things."

The more Mr. Fry considered the matter the more determined he became to carry his project into execution.

"Campbell," said he, after a pause, "I believe I'll do it. With your assistance I can arrange one of these deer-skins. It will be a grand triumph if I can kill a fine buck within a few hundred yards of camp."

The Doctor was rather tickled at the idea, and readily offered his assistance. A large deerskin was selected from a lot that hung on a tree close by. The head and

antlers of another deer were then procured, and, by means of a little labor in cutting out the jawbones and brains, rendered sufficiently light for the purpose. A sail-needle and piece of twine answered to sew this to the neck of the skin, which the Doctor then fastened around the body of Mr. Fry with strips of raw hide. In a very short time the deception was complete. As Mr. Fry walked up and down before the camp-fire in a stooping posture the Doctor could not forbear some expressions of admiration.

"Golly, Mass'r Fry! you's de 'spress image of a big buck I seed de oder day-all 'cep de hind-legs!"

Mr. Fry looked at his ponderous legs, and thought they might be a little thinner without disadvantage to himself or the character he had assumed. However, it would not be necessary to show his hind-legs unless in case he should encounter a bear. By turning his back toward an animal of that description, he thought there would be rather an advantage in the legs than otherwise; and he accordingly turned in the proposed attitude, and said, triumphantly,

"Campbell, what do I look like now ?" "Golly!" exclaimed the Doctor, starting back as if quite astounded, "you's de 'spress image of a ghost I seed one night! If dat doesn't scare away de grizzly bears de debbil himself couldn't do it!"

Mr. Fry was quite charmed with the results of his experiment. With a few words of caution to the Doctor not to suffer any accident to happen to the stew, he took his rifle and proceeded toward a little eminence about three hundred yards from the camp. This spot was partially concealed by bushes, and was admirably suited for the purpose. It overlooked a ravine in which several deer had been recently seen, and where it was likely there were still a few bucks lurking in search of the does which had been killed.

Mr. Fry had not proceeded very far when he heard a crackling sound in the bushes on the opposite side of the ravine. It was evidently a

TOM FRY'S DEER HUNT.

deer, and now was the time to test the experiment of the mask. With some difficulty, and a few misgivings that it might possibly turn out to be a bear, he got down on all fours and crept cautiously up toward the edge of the bank, keeping his rifle pointed backward, so that there would be no danger of an accident, and breathing very heavily to keep his courage up.

Here I must pause to explain the true nature of the sounds which had attracted the attention of our hunter.

It appeared that Mr. Phil Wilkins, after becoming separated from the party, took it into his head that this thing of cruising around the edges of chaparral patches and deep ravines was somewhat dangerous. He would therefore cruise in toward the camp. Still it would not do to return too soon; so he sat down and waited a few hours, during which he devoted himself to the preparation of an argument in defense of his peculiar theories, that would perfectly annihilate the Judge. About the time he had entirely extinguished his antagonist he heard a rustling among the bushes on the opposite side of the ravine, and looking up in that direction, perceived, to his extreme surprise, the head and antlers of a splendid buck! Mr. Wilkins was seized with a sudden ague. He was not frightened. By no means. Nobody ever is frightened on such occasions. It was only the prodigious and astounding character of the fact that took him aback. There stood a live buck before him within forty yards! It was enough to give any gentleman not accustomed to such sights the worst kind of an ague. I once had an attack myself that caused me to drop the rifle and run away; but then that was a bear ague. Still the buck ague is very nearly as bad, because there is no telling whether the animal may not take a sudden notion to make use of his horns, and thus become the attacking party.

Mr. Wilkins had fired by way of practice several shots at crows, stumps, and rocks on the way down to his present station, and not expecting to see any thing more, had failed to load his

Whew! it takes four of 'em to carry it into camp!"

But just at this moment the Doctor got sight of the legs, and turned the color of lead with fright. Visions of murder, arrest, jails, and the gallows flashed through his brain. Not more than half an hour had elapsed since he had helped to manufacture that very buck. Throwing up his hands he fell back in a paroxysm of terror, roaring out with all his might, "Gway fum here! Oh! gway fum here! I had nuffin to do wid it! Gway! Somebody else done it! I'm nuffin but a poor ole nigger! Let me be! Oh, let me be!"

"Shut up!" said the Captain, sternly. "Nobody accused you of it, you old reprobate! Bring the blue keg here, quick!"

The Doctor gathered himself up as fast as possible, and did as commanded. Captain Toby then directed that the wounded man should be laid on a blanket, which was also done. He then took the keg, extracted the bung, and held the orifice directly over the mouth of his patient. The remedy operated like magic. After a few gulps Mr. Fry slowly opened his eyes, and, in a feeble voice, demanded, "Where am I? What has happened? Is the stew all safe?"

Captain Toby answered, "Keep quiet, my dear Sir, as you value your life. You are in camp among your friends. An accident has happened. You have been shot in mistake for a deer, and mortally wounded. Fortunately, however, there is a remedy at hand which would bring the deadest man that ever died to life if he

were only capable of trying it-and the stew is all safe." Mr. Fry groaned and turned over. He was aware that he was mortally wounded - there could be no doubt about that. He had felt the ball strike him. It must have hit him in the pit of the stomach, for there was where he had first become sensible of the concussion. To die, however, and leave that stew! Here he groaned again, and begged to be helped to a plate of stew, that he might at least know how it tasted before his departure from this world. The Doctor quickly supplied the necessary aliment.

"Perhaps, after all," observed Mr. Wilkins, hopefully, "he may not be mortally wounded, though I am certain I took dead aim on him."

"Not mortally wounded!" cried Captain Toby, sternly. "Was ever a man shot through the pit of the stomach without being mortally wounded? I am astonished at you, Mr. Wilkins! Permit me to ask, Sir, if you shot this unfortunate man in illustration of your peculiar theory? If you did, it was certainly a very striking illustration! Besides, Sir, I am too well aware of your skill with the rifle to suppose for a moment that you could have missed so large an object at the distance of forty paces."