FOREST LIFE. 131 



not provided with candles or lamps, the lovers of this recreation 

 are careful to select a store of pitchy knots, whose brilliant com- 

 bustion relieves them from all the inconvenience of darkness. 

 This is, however, a bewitching amusement, and often proves det- 

 rimental to the peace and rest of the Avhole crew, and injurious 

 also to the interests of employers. 



The last winter I spent in the logging swamp, there were sev- 

 eral packs of cards brought into the encampment by men in my 

 division. I had resolved not to allow card-j)laying in my camp ; 

 but how to accomplish my purpose without inviting other un- 

 pleasant results was something to be thought of, as that man 

 makes to himself an uncomfortable birth who incurs the ill will 

 of his comrades in any way, especially in the exercise of author- 

 ity not strictly related to the business for which they are em- 

 ployed, and by an infringement upon what they esteem their pri- 

 vate and personal rights. Pointing out a pack of cards, while in 

 camp one afternoon, to the owner of the same, at a moment when 

 he was in a decidedly favorable mood for my purpose, " Come, 

 Hobbs," said I, "burn them I" at the same time accompanying 

 the request with the best reason I could offer to induce compli- 

 ance. Taking them doAvn, and thoughtfully shuffling them over 

 for a minute, " \Yell," said he, "they are foolish things, aint 

 they ?" Of course I acquiesced. " Here goes I" said he, taking 

 the poker and stirring open the hot bed of live coals, and in they 

 went. The work of extirpation being commenced, he rifled the 

 knapsacks of others belonging to the crew of their packs of cards, 

 and threw them into the fire also, pronouncing deliberately, " High, 

 low, Jack, and the game I" I really expected a fuss when the 

 matter should come to the knowledge of the others. They sub- 

 mitted, however, to their bereavement like philosophers. It 

 passed off without any muss being kicked up, though the agent 

 was a little menaced for the liberties he had taken in the mat- 

 ter ; but he enjoyed the sympathies of the instigator. 



