CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY. 373 



near at hand. Pieces of wood were laid across the 

 trenches, and on the wood immense quantities of meat ; 

 two halves of an ox, a number of pigs, calves, deer, 

 bears, sheep, &c., were roasting and stewing, while 

 people with bottles or jugs full of whiskey went about 

 offering it to all present. The meat itself was not 

 particularly inviting, everybody going up and cutting 

 off what he Avanted, and holding it in his hand to eat, 

 some standing, some walking to and fro. At a camp-fire 

 this is all very well, but such a multitude with greasy 

 hands and mouths is not attractive. 



I did not remain long, but returned to the town, 

 sleeping at the house of a German settler ; and on the 

 following morning proceeded on board the boat, which 

 contrary to tlie usual custom, was punctual to her time 

 and went off blusterinof down the river. 



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