June--nay, I have heard, and
believe it to be true, that many hotels in New York serve them up even
in March and April; quail, this autumn, have been sold openly in the
markets, many days previous to the expiration of close time. And, in
fact, sorry I am to say it, as far as eating-houses are in question, the
game laws are nearly a dead letter.

"In the country, also, I have universally found it to be the case, that
although the penalty of a breach may be exacted from strangers, no
farmer will differ with a neighbor, as they call it, for the sake of a
bird. Whether time, and a greater diffusion of sporting propensities,
and sporting feelings, may alter this for the better or no, I leave to
sager and more politic pates than mine. And now I say, Harry, you surely
do not intend to trundle us off to Tom Draw's to-night without a drink
at starting? I see Timothy has got the drag up to the door, and the
horses harnessed, and all ready for a start."

"Yes! yes! all that's true," answered Harry, "but take my word for it,
the liquor case is not put in yet. Well, Timothy," he went on, as they
reached the door, "that is right. Have you got everything put up?"

"All but t' gam' bag and t' liquor ca-ase, sur," Tim replied, touching
his hat gnostically as he spoke; "Ay reckoned ple-ease sur, 'at you'd
maybe want to fill t' yan oop, and empty t' oother!"

"Very well thought, indeed!" said Archer, winking to Forester the while.
"Let that boy stand a few minutes to the horses' heads, and come into
the house yourself and pack the birds up, and fetch us some water."

"T' watter is upon t' table, sur, and t' cigars, and a loight; but Ay'se
be in wi' you directly. Coom hither, lad till Ay shew thee hoo to guide
'em; thou munna tooch t' bits for the loife o' thee, but joost stan'
there anent them--if they stir loike, joost speak to 'em--Ayse hear
thee!" and he left his charge and entered the small parlor, where the
three friends were now assembled, with a cheroot apiece already lighted,
and three tall brimming rummers on the table.

"Look sharp and put the birds up," said Harry, pitching, as he spoke,
the fine fat fellows right and left out of his wide game pockets, "and
when that's done fill yourself out a drink, and help us on with our
great coats."

"What are you going to do with the guns?" inquired the Commodore.

"To carry them uncased and loaded; substituting in my own two buckshot
cartridges for loose shot," replied Archer. "