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I could distinguish on the moment the clear sharp challenge of Harry's high-bred foxhounds, the deep bass voices of the Southern dogs, and the untamable and cur-like yelping of the dogs which the Teachmans had taken with them. Ten minutes passed full of anxiety, almost of fear.
Archer!" grunted poor Tom, in most piteous accents "them darned etarnal Teachmans they've murdered me right out! I'll never get over this ugh! ugh! ugh! Half drowned and smashed up the darndest! Now aint it an etarnal shame! Cuss them, if I doos n't sarve them out for it, my name's not Thomas Draw!" "Well, it is not," rejoined Harry, "who in the name of wonder ever called you Thomas?
Swearing, and vowing vengeance on Jem Lyn, and Garry, and the Teachmans each one of whom, by the way, was sound asleep during this pleasant interlude and shaking with the cold, and sputtering with uncontrollable fury, the fat man did at length get dressed, and after two or three libations of milk punch, recovered his temper somewhat, and his spirits altogether.
Breakfast despatched for which, to say the truth, Harry gave us but little time we mustered our array and started; Harry and Tom and I making one party, with the spaniels Garry, the Teachmans, and Timothy, with the setters, which would hunt very willingly for him in Archer's absence, forming a second.
Late was it when we reached the Teachmans' hut and long and deep was the carouse that followed; and when the moon had sunk and we were turning in, Tom Draw swore with a mighty oath of deepest emphasis that since we had passed a week with him, he'd take a seat down in the wagon, and see the Beacon Races.
So saying, he shouldered the long single barrel, and paddled off with the most extraordinary expedition after the Teachmans, who had already started, leading the setters in a leash, till they were out of sight of Archer. "They have the longest way to go," said Harry, "by a mile at the least; so we have time for a cheroot before we three get under way."
As I looked out upon this lovely morning, I did not, I acknowledge it, regret the absence of my excellent though boisterous companions; for there was something which I cannot define in the deep stillness, in the sweet harmonious quiet of the whole scene before me, that disposed my spirit to meditation far more than to mirth; the very smoke which rose from the low chimneys of the Teachmans' colony not surging to and fro, obedient to the fickle winds but soaring straight, tall, unbroken, upward, like Corinthian columns, each with its curled capital seemed to invite the soul of the spectator to mount with it toward the sunny heavens.
"Well, I believe we must wet him," Harry answered, "so get out another flask of whiskey, Tim; and you Jem and Garry lend me a hand to lift this fine chap into the wagon. By Jove! but this will make the Teachmans open their eyes; and now look sharp! You sent the Teachmans word that we were coming, Tom?" "Sartin! and they've got breakfast ready long enough before this, anyways."
Into what violent asseveration our host would have plunged at this declaration, remains, like the tale of Cambuscan bold, veiled in deep mystery; for as he started from the log on which he had been reposing while in the act of unsplicing his bamboo fishing pole, the elder of the Teachmans thrust his head out of the cabin nearest to us "Come, boys, to breakfast!
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