LV THE FAR WEST. 309 



I'm nearly clicked. Fire away though ; never mind me if 

 any of you have anything like 'stone fence ' about you." 



With such comments as these, many of which were so ludi- 

 crous that the terpsichoreans were roaring with laughter, he 

 sent all through the figure, and when it was over they were 

 panting loudly, while their faces were steaming and covered 

 with perspiration. 



The dances consisted principally of quadrilles, but an occa- 

 sional polka or varsovienne was introduced, much to the delight 

 of those who knew how to " show off with them/' as the band 

 expressed it. 



These exhibitions of strength were kept up almost uninter- 

 ruptedly until morning, the only interval of any consequence 

 being that devoted to refreshments at midnight. 



These refreshments were as solid and hearty as the terpsi- 

 choreans themselves, for they consisted largely of boiled beef, 

 pork, or mutton, bread and butter, and, for desert, sweet-cakes, 

 cold tea and coffee, and rosy apples. Each family party brought 

 its own provisions, and ate them off improvised tables made of 

 knees. The only seats the majority had were the planks of 

 the floor, so that they lolled in various attitudes, several of 

 which were so ludicrous that they would make the fortune of 

 a pantomimist who knew them. 



The hunting party had an excellent dinner, however, in the 

 host's house, the piece de resistance being venison cooked in 

 many styles, while the fluids were confined to home-made 

 currant wine and "stone fence," the latter being composed of 

 old cider and whiskey. It is a drink that soon produces a 

 strong effect, and leaves a person the next morning with a 

 splitting headache, should he exceed the most moderate bounds. 



AVhen the dancing party dispersed in the morning, few there 

 were who did not look thoroughly fagged out, yet all were 

 delighted with their night of pleasure. 



I left the neighbourhood shortly afterwards, and though it is 

 many a day since I was there, few trips that I have made 

 in the West are so distinctly marked in my memory as the 

 fortnight I spent in the forests of Washington Territory, and 

 my tarry among its hospitable inhabitants. 



