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A MAPLE-SUGAR CAMP. 



While advancing the best way I could through the magnificent woods 

 that cover the undulating grounds in the vicinity of the Green River in 

 Kentucky, I was overtaken by night. With slow and cautious steps I 

 proceeded, feeUng some doubt as to my course, when the moon came 

 forth, as if purposely to afford me her friendly Hght. The air I thought 

 was uncommonly keen, and the gentle breeze that now and then shook 

 the tops of the tall trees, more than once made me think of halting for the 

 night, and forming a camp. At times I thought of the campaigns of my 

 old friend Daniel Boon, his strange adventures in these very woods, and 

 the extraordinary walk which he performed to save his fellow-creatures at 

 Fort Massacre from the scalping knives of the irritated Indians. Now 

 and then a racoon or opossum, causing the fallen leaves to rustle, made 

 me pause for a moment ; and thus I was forcing my way, thinking on 

 many things dismal as well as pleasing, when the glimmer of a distant 

 fire suddenly roused me from my reveries, and inspired me with fresh 

 animation. As I approached it, I observed forms of different kinds moving 

 to and fro before it, like spectres ; and ere long, bursts of laughter, shouts, 

 and songs apprised me of some merrymaking. I thought at first that I 

 had probably stumbled upon a camp-meeting ; but I soon perceived tliat 

 the mirth proceeded from a band of sugar-makers. Every man, woman, 

 and child stared as I passed them, but all were friendly, and, without 

 more ceremony than was needful, I walked up to the fire, at which I 

 found two or three old women, with their husbands, attending to the 

 kettles. Their plain dresses of Kentucky homespun were far more pleasing 

 to my sight than the ribboned turbans of city dames, or the powdered 

 wigs and embroidered waistcoats of antique beaux. I was heartily wel- 

 comed, and supplied with a goodly pone of bread, a plate of molasses, and 

 some sweet potatoes. 



Fatigued with my long ramble, I lay down under the lee of the smoke, 

 and soon fell into a sound sleep. When day returned, the frost lay thick 

 around ; but the party arose cheerful and invigorated, and after perform- 

 ing their orisons, resumed their labour. The scenery around was most 

 pleasing ; the ground all round looked as if it had been cleared of under- 

 wood ; the maples, straight and tall, seemed as if planted in rows ; be- 



