A Kentucky Barbecue. 63 



which had killed the animal, and sent it whirling through 

 the air, as if it had been blown up. 



" The snuffing of a candle with a ball I first had an 

 opportunity of seeing near the banks of Green River, not 

 far from a large pigeon roost, to which I had previously 

 made a visit. I heard many reports of guns during the 

 early part of a dark night, and knowing them to be those 

 of rifles, I went towards the spot to ascertain the cause. 

 On reaching the place, I was welcomed by a dozen of 

 tall, stout men, who told me they were exercising for the 

 purpose of enabling them to shoot under night at the 

 reflected light from the eye of a deer or wolf by torch- 

 light. 



" At a distance of fifty paces stood a lighted candle, 

 barely distinguishable in the darkness. One man was 

 placed within a few yards of it, to watch the effects of 

 the shots, as well as to light the candle, should it chance 

 to go out, or to repair it, should the shot cut it across. 

 Each marksman shot in his turn. Some never hit 

 either the snuff or the candle. One of them, who was 

 particularly expert, was very fortunate, and snuffed the 

 candle three times out of seven, whilst all the other shots 

 either put out the candle, or cut it immediately under 

 the light." 



During his residence in Kentucky, Audubon had 

 frequent opportunities of joining in the great American 

 festival of the 4th July. The particular occasion he de- 

 scribes as a " Kentucky Barbecue," and instances a very 

 delightful jubilee held on the Beargrass Creek, at which 

 all the settlers, with their wives and families, assisted. 

 The festival was held in a forest glade by the river's 

 side : the company arrived in their wagons, bringing 

 provisions of every kind, such fruits as the country af- 

 forded, wine, and " Old Monongahela " whiskey. \Vher. 

 the company had assembled, an immense cannon, built 



