220 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



going to give a grand entertainment — or frolic, as it is 

 called — in hopes of being chosen as a member of the 

 legislature at the next election. "\Ye decided on waiting 

 to be present at it. 



These frolics generally take place in Spring. When 

 a farmer calls his neighbors together to collect and 

 bum all the wood he has cut down, it is called a " log 

 rolling frolic ; " and when the women assemble to sew 

 together a number of different colored patches, it is 

 called a " quilting frolic ; " and in the evening, there is 

 generally a dance, or a game of forfeits. 



I had hitherto never been present at any of these 

 frolics, for I had rather avoided the throng of men; 

 but as I was about to return to the woods, where I 

 should perhaps see nothing of social life for months, I 

 resolved to see men enjoy themselves for once. 



The 4tli of July arrived, and at about ten o'clock in 

 the morning I lounged towards the place of destina- 

 tion, leaving my rifle at home. The strong attraction 

 of some whortleberries detained me some time on the 

 road, so that I did not arrive till noon. Here all was 

 in movement; the whole neighborhood had assem- 

 bled, and the rough backwoodsmen formed many strange 

 groups; some in hunting-shirts, like myself; some in 

 woollen homespun coats — but the greater number with- 

 out their upper garments. Several fires were lighted, 

 and cooking was going on in various modes, while, in a 

 shady place near the house, a group of women were 

 occupied in boiling a " powerful long coffee." 



The sound of a solitary fiddle had been perceptible 

 at a distance, and sure enough, when I arrived, I 

 found dancing going on amongst the younger folk, in 



