When people 's appetites are keen , they have a very quick scent for anything savory in the wind . `` That smoke comes from the kitchen ! '' cried one of them , turning up his nose as high as he could , and snuffing eagerly . `` And , as sure as I 'm a half-starved vagabond , I smell roast meat in it . '' `` Pig , roast pig ! '' said another . `` Ah , the dainty little porker . My mouth waters for him . '' `` Let us make haste , '' cried the others , `` or we shall be too late for the good cheer ! '' But scarcely had they made half a dozen steps from the edge of the cliff , when a bird came fluttering to meet them . It was the same pretty little bird , with the purple wings and body , the yellow legs , the golden collar round its neck , and the crown-like tuft upon its head , whose behavior had so much surprised Ulysses . It hovered about Eurylochus , and almost brushed his face with its wings . `` Peep , peep , pe -- weep ! '' chirped the bird . So plaintively intelligent was the sound , that it seemed as if the little creature were going to break its heart with some mighty secret that it had to tell , and only this one poor note to tell it with . `` My pretty bird , '' said Eurylochus -- for he was a wary person , and let no token of harm escape his notice -- `` my pretty bird , who sent you hither ? And what is the message which you bring ? '' `` Peep , peep , pe -- weep ! '' replied the bird , very sorrowfully . Then it flew towards the edge of the cliff , and looked around at them , as if exceedingly anxious that they should return whence they came .
XXXXX and a few of the others were inclined to turn back .
Eurylochus Ulysses cliff escape harm message porker tuft vagabond whence