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tHE CELTIC INEAGAZIXE. 241MARVELLOUS ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN ]\I'AirrHUIl OF THESCOTTISH HIGHLANDERS OF CAROLINA.[Continued].The discharge of tlic muslcet was the signal to those wiLliiu liearingtliat somebody was about. It awakened to his senses an old negro, tliolionest " LTncle Ned," and brouglit him to the edge of the " clearing," inorder to satisfy his curiosity, and to see if it was " old Massa " makingan unceremonious visit to the farm of which Ned was virtually overseer.Our disconsolate party could not avoid an interview even if they would.They summoned their courage and affected to feci at ease. And truly theymight, for Ned, like the class to which he belonged, would never dream ofasking impertinent questions of any respectable white man, his knownduty being to ansAver, not to ask, questions. Our weary party invitedthemselves to " Uncle Ned's" cabin, Avhich stood in the edge of theclearing close by, and turned out to be a tidy log cottage. Tlie presidingdivinity of its single apartment Avas our kind hostess, " Aunt Lucy," Ned'sbetter half, who felt so highly charmed and flattered by the visit of suchdistinguished guests that she scarcely knew what she was saying or doing.She dropt her lighted pipe on the floor, bustled and scraped and curtsiedto the gentle lady over and over, and caressed the beautiful little" ^Missie " with emotions which bordered on questionable kindness. Thisovation over, our hungry guests began to think of the chief object of theirvisit— getting something in the shape of Avarm luncheon—and with tliis invicAV they eyed with covetous interest the large flock of fine plump pulletsabout the door. Thei'c Avas fine material for a feast to begin Avitli. Thehint Avas given to " Aunt Lucy," and Avhen that aged dame became consciousof the great honour thus to be conferred iq^on her, she at once setto work in the culinary department Avitli a dexerity and skill of art AA'hichis incredible to those Avho are ignorant of the great speciality of negresses.There Avas sudden havoc among the poultry, and fruit and A-egetables foundtheir Away from the corn field in abundant variety to the large chimney place.^leauAvhile the captain shouldered his piece and brouglit, from an adjacentthicket, tAvo Avhai)ping lug fox sipiirrels to add to the variety of the feast,extorting from the faithful Ned the flattering compliment " b' goUiesBoss, you is the best shot I ever see'd." Preparation is rapidly advancing,and so is the appetite of the longing expectants. Jjut such preparationAvas not the Avork of a moment, especially, from the scantiness ofLucy's cooking utensils. So the guests thought they Avould AvithdraAV fora time in order to relieve the busy cook of all ceremony, and at the sametime relieve themseh-es of the uncomfortable reflection of three blazingfires in the chimney i)lace. After partaking of a feAV slices of a deliciousAvater melon, they retired to the shade of a tree in the yard, and thereenjoyed a most refreshing nap. In due course the sumptuous meal isready ; the small table is loaded Avith a most substantial repast, the overplus finding a receptacle upon the board floor of the apartment Avhich Avaa