In less than five minutes a small, but determined gang of marauders made
their stealthy way through Lafayette alley. Every one of the husky
pilferers endeavored to shrink his big body into the smallest compass.
The alley ended in a hamlet of ramshackle stables in the rear of a
famous bathing establishment. The place was deserted in day time as all
men and animal occupants were in the streets pursuing the energetic
calling of peddling. As said, the place was deserted, save for those
chickens. Dating from our first call, the chickens, young and old, began
to disappear.
For over a week we feasted on chicken. We had them in all known styles
of cooking. Our bill of fare included fried, baked, stewed, broiled and
fricasseed chicken. But a day came when naught was left of the flock of
chicks excepting one big, black rooster.