diately
replaced by the Major, whose dress and general appearance were
sufficiently like his own to deceive any stranger.

Helping himself without loss of time to the salmi, he ate away, like one
whose appetite had suffered a sore trial from suspense.

The salmi gave place to the veal, and the veal to the baked pike; for so
it is, the stomach, in Germany, is a kind of human ark, wherein, though
there is little order in the procession, the animals enter whole
and entire. The host watched his guest's performance, and was in
ecstasies--good things never did meet with more perfect appreciation;
and as for the wine, he drank it like a Swabian, whole goblets full at a
draught. At length, holding up an empty flask, he cried out "Champagne!"
And away trotted the fat man to his cellar, rather surprised, it is
true, how rapidly three flasks of his "Ai Mousseux" had disappeared.

This was now the critical moment, and with a half-sigh of regret, the
Major leaped into the street, and the first Captain relieved the guard.

Poor fellow, he was fearfully hungry, and helped himself to the first
dish before him, and drank from the bottle at his side, like one whose
stomach had long ceased to be pampered by delicacies.

"Du Heiliger!" cried the host to himself, as he stood behind his
chair, and surveyed the performance. "Du Heiliger! how he does eat, one
wouldn't suppose he had been at it these fifty minutes; art ready for
the capon now?" continued he, as he removed the keel and floor timbers
of a saddle of mutton.

"The capon," sighed the other; "Yes, the capon, now." Alas! he knew that
delicious dish was reserved for his successor. And so it was; before the
host re-entered, the second Captain had filled his glass twice, and was
anxiously sitting in expectation of the capon.

Such a bird as it was!--a very sarcophagus of truffles--a mine of
delicious dainties of every clime and cuisine.

"Good--eh?"

"Delicious!" said the second Captain, filling a bumper, and handing it
to the host, while he clinked his own against it in friendly guise.

"A pleasant fellow, truly," said the host, "and a social--but, Lord, how
he eats! There go the wings and the back! Himmel und Erde! if he isn't
at the pasty now!"

"Wine!" cried the Frenchman, striking the table with the empty bottle,
"Wine."

The host crossed himself, and went out in search of more liquor,
muttering as he shuffled along, "What would have become of me, if I
hadn't paid the