hy. For
shame, gentlemen, and brave men as I know you are, to utter such
slanders concerning the weaker sex. Remember that your mothers were
women, and if aught was spoken against them, would not your blood
tingle?"

Mr. Brown did not jest again that night, and I think that the reply made
us all reflect upon our obligations to our Maker, for we pushed back our
chairs from the table, and declared that sleeping was better than
drinking, and that we would finish the punch some other time.

Jackson led the way to our room, while our host did the honors for his
lady guests. We bade all good night, and after Mr. Brown and myself had
exchanged a few words relative to the incidents of the day, we threw
ourselves upon the mattresses spread upon the floor, and just as
daylight began to glimmer in the east we fell asleep, and our slumbers
were undisturbed for many hours; but at length we were awakened by Mr.
Wright, who sat in the only chair the room afforded, smoking his pipe
with great apparent relish, and looking as though he had been awake
since sunrise.

"Come, rouse up," he said, "or you will have no appetite for supper. You
are the soundest sleepers that ever saw, for I made some noise in hopes
of awakening you, but I found that was an impossibility, so I thought I
would try tobacco smoke."

"What o'clock is it?" I asked, rubbing my eyes, and trying to think
where I was.

"Near four. Come, get up, and help me entertain the women. They have got
their proper clothes on, and don't look so bad as they might. The young
one still wails for her husband, although I tell her to keep up her
spirits, and think of something else."

"Advice which she is certain not to follow. Did you ever know of a woman
that would be advised under any circumstances? No, I thought not."

"You are always grumbling about the women," I said, addressing Mr.
Brown. "If the truth was known, I suppose that it would show that you
have been jilted some day by a female with a pretty face, and revenge
yourself by abusing the whole sex. That is ungallant."

"I don't care how ungallant it is, for I know it to be true," replied
Mr. Brown, with great candor; "ten years ago, I made love to the
prettiest piece of flesh and blood that ever walked on two legs, or
allowed her hair to curl in ringlets. But I don't like to talk on the
subject."

"A truce to your love affairs," interrupted Mr. Wright; "come and take a
gallop with me this afternoon, and have a look