The second table in the adjoining room, where Uncle Raoul presided, was supplied as would have been that of a rich _habitant_ on a similar occasion. Besides the superfluity of viands already enumerated, each guest found beside his plate the inevitable sugar-cake, a cruller, a tart about five inches in diameter and more rich in paste than in jam, and an unlimited supply of brandy. There were also some bottles of wine on the table, to which nobody paid the least attention; to use their own energetic expression, it did not "scratch the throat enough." The wine was placed there chiefly for the women, who were occupied in serving the breakfast, and who would take their places at the table after the men's departure. Josephte would take a glass or two of wine without much pressing after she had had her accustomed appetizer. Over the third table, spread in the mighty kitchen, presided Jules, with Archie to assist him. This was the table for the young men, and it was supplied like that of Uncle Raoul. While there was gayety enough at the first two tables, there was at the same time a certain decorum observed; but at the third, especially toward the end of the repast, which lasted far on into the morning, there was such a perpetual applause that one could hardly hear himself speak. The reader is much deceived if he imagines that the May-pole was all this time enjoying repose. Almost every moment one or other of the guests would get up, run out and fire his gun at the May-pole, and return to his place at the table after this act of courtesy. At the beginning of dessert the seigneur, accompanied by the ladies, visited the second and third tables, where they were rapturously received. A friendly word was on his lips for every one. He drank the health of his tenants, and his tenants drank to himself and his family, to the accompaniment of the reports of twenty muskets, which were blazing away outside. This ceremony at an end, the seigneur returned to his own table, where he was induced to sing a little song, in the chorus of which all joined. "Oh, here's to the hero, The hero, the hero; Oh, here's to the hero That taught men to dine! When joy is at zero, At zero, at zero; When joy is at zero, What solace like wine! _Chorus._ Till he's drunk, or quite near it, No soldier will shrink, But cry shame on the spirit Too craven to drink. "When we taste the rare liquor, Rare liquor, rare liquor; When we taste the rare liquor That tickles our throats, Our hearts they beat quicker, Beat quicker, beat quicker; Our hearts they beat quicker, Which clearly denotes