506 AUDUBON 



A MAPLE-SUGAR CAMP 



While advancing the best way I could through the mag- 

 nificent woods that cover the undulating grounds in the 

 vicinity of the Green River in Kentucky, I was overtaken 

 by night. With slow and cautious steps I proceeded, 

 feeling some doubt as to my course, when the moon came 

 forth, as if purposely to afford me her friendly light. 

 The air I thought was uncommonly keen, and the gentle 

 breeze that now and then shook the tops of the tall trees 

 more than once made me think of halting for the night, 

 and forming a camp. At times I thought of the cam- 

 paigns of my old friend, Daniel Boone, his strange ad- 

 ventures in these very woods, and the extraordinary walk 

 which he performed to save his fellow creatures at Fort 

 Massacre from the scalping knives of the irritated In- 

 dians. ^ Now and then a Raccoon or Opossum, causing the 

 fallen leaves to rustle, made me pause for a moment; and 

 thus I was forcing my way, thinking on many things dis- 

 mal as well as pleasing, when the glimmer of a distant 

 fire suddenly aroused me from my reveries, and inspired 

 me with fresh animation. As I approached it, I observed 

 forms of different kinds moving to and fro before it, like 

 spectres ; and ere long, bursts of laughter, shouts, and 

 songs apprised me of some merry-making. I thought at 

 first I had probably stumbled upon a camp meeting; but 

 I soon perceived that the mirth proceeded from a band of 

 sugar-makers. Every man, woman, and child stared as I 

 passed them, but all were friendly, and, without more 

 ceremony than was needful, I walked up to the fire, at 

 which I found two or three old women, with their hus- 



1 " On the i6th [June, 177S], before sunrise, I departed in the most secret 

 manner, and arrived at Boonesborough on the 20th, after a journey of 160 

 miles, during which I had but one meal." (Letter of Daniel Boone, who 

 was then forty-three.) 



