CHAPTER X.
A COLONIAL REPAST.
The family at the Locusts had slept, or watched, through all thedisturbances at the cottage of Birch, in perfect ignorance of theiroccurrence. Additional duties had drawn the ladies from their pillowsat an hour somewhat earlier than usual.
Henry Wharton awoke from a sleep in which he had dreamt of sufferingamputation; and Dr. Sitgreaves pronounced that he would be a well manwithin a fortnight. Colonel Wellmere did not make his appearance; hebreakfasted in his own room, and the surgeon was free to go to thebedside of Captain Singleton, where he had watched during the nightwithout once closing his eyes. Captain Lawton had been received withmany courteous inquiries after the state of his health.
A single horse chaise was seen approaching the gate. Miss Peytonadvanced to receive their guest. She was young, and of a light andgraceful form, but of exquisite proportions. As Dr. Sitgreavessupported her from the chaise, she turned an expressive look at theface of the practitioner.
"Your brother is out of danger, and wishes to see you, MissSingleton," said the surgeon.
By the time the afternoon sun had travelled a two hours' journey fromthe meridian, the formal procession from the kitchen to the parlorcommenced, under the auspices of Caesar, who led the van, supporting aturkey on the palms of his withered hands with the dexterity of abalance-master.
Next followed the servant of Captain Lawton, bearing, as he marchedstiffly, a ham of true Virginian flavor, a present from the spinster'sbrother in Accomac. The supporter of this savory dish kept his eye onhis trust with military precision; and it might be difficult to saywhich contained the most juice, his own mouth or the bacon.
Third in the line was to be seen the valet of Colonel Wellmere, whocarried in either hand chickens fricasseed, and oyster patties.
After him marched the attendant of Dr. Sitgreaves, who instinctivelyseized an enormous tureen and followed on in place, until the steamsof the soup so completely bedimmed his glasses that he was compelledto deposit his freight on the floor, until, by removing them, he couldsee his way through the piles of reserved china and plate-warmers.
Next followed another trooper, conveying a pair of roast ducks. Thewhite boy who belonged to the house brought up the rear, groaningunder a load of sundry dishes of vegetables that the cook, by the wayof climax, had unwittingly heaped on him.
Caesar had no sooner deposited his bird than he turned mechanically onhis heel, and took up his line of march again for the kitchen. In thisevolution the black was imitated by his companions in succession, andanother procession to the parlor followed in the same order. By thisadmirable arrangement, whole flocks of pigeons, certain bevies ofquails, shoals of flat-fish, bass, and sundry woodcock, found theirway into the presence of the company.
A third attack brought suitable quantities of potatoes, onions, beets,cold-slaw, rice, and all the other minutiae[72] of a goodly dinner.
[Footnote 72: little details.]
The board now fairly groaned with American profusion, and Caesar,glancing his eye over the show with a most approving conscience afterreadjusting every dish that had not been placed on the table by hisown hands, proceeded to acquaint the mistress of the revels that histask was happily accomplished.
Much time and some trouble were expended before the whole party were,to the joy of Caesar, comfortably seated around the table.
Though the meat and vegetables had made their entrance with perfectorder and propriety, their exeunt[73] was effected much in the mannerof a retreat of militia. The point was to clear the board somethingafter the fabled practice of the harpies; and by dint of scrambling,tossing, breaking, and spilling, the remnants of the overflowingrepast disappeared. And now another series of processions commenced,by virtue of which a goodly display of pastry, with its usualaccompaniments, garnished the table.
[Footnote 73: departure (literally, _they go out_).]