VICTOR, THE SON OF AUDUBON 79 



" I know, reader, that had you been with me on that 

 day you would have richly enjoyed the sight of this national 

 fete-champetre. You would have listened with pleasure 

 to the ingenuous tale of the lover, the wise talk of the 

 elder on the affairs of the State, the accounts of improve- 

 ment in stock and utensils, and the hopes of continued pros- 

 perity to the country at large, and to Kentucky in particu- 

 lar. You would have been pleased to see those who did 

 not join in the dance shooting at distant marks with their 

 heavy rifles, or watched how they showed off the superior 

 speed of their high-bred i Old Virginia ' horses, while others 

 recounted their hunting exploits, and at intervals made 

 the woods ring with their bursts of laughter. With me the 

 time sped like an arrow in its flight, and although more than 

 twenty years have elapsed since I joined a Kentucky bar- 

 becue, my spirit is refreshed every Fourth of July by the 

 recollection of that day's merriment. 



" But now the sun has declined, and the shades of even- 

 ing creep over the scene. Large fires are lighted in the 

 woods, casting the long shadows of the live columns far 

 along the trodden ground, and flaring on the happy groups 

 loath to separate. In the still, clear sky begin to sparkle 

 the distant lamps of heaven. One might have thought 

 that nature herself smiled on the joy of her children. Sup- 

 per now appeared on the tables, and, after all had again 

 refreshed themselves, preparations were made for depart- 

 ure. The lover hurried for the steed of his fair one, the 



