1 86 AUDUBON 



Indians to enter the reception room without their having 

 any communication with the fort. Into this room are 

 brought all trading and war parties, until such time as 

 their business is ascertained; there is also behind this 

 room a trade shop, and leading into it a window through 

 which the Indians usually trade, being secure from rain 

 or accident; there is also another window through the 

 pickets to the outside of the fort, which is used in trad- 

 ing when the Indians are troublesome, or too numerous. 

 The Powder Magazine is perhaps the best piece of work, 

 as regards strength and security, that could be devised 

 for a fort like this. The dimensions are 25 by 1 8 ft. ; it 

 is built out of stone, which is a variety of limestone with 

 a considerable quantity of sand in its composition. The 

 walls are 4 ft. thick at the base, and increasing with the 

 curve of the arch become gradually thicker as they rise, 

 so that near the top they are about 6 ft. in thickness. 

 The inside presents a complete semicircular arch, which 

 is covered on the top with stones and gravel to the depth 

 of 18 inches. The whole is covered with a shingle roof 

 through which fire may burn yet with no danger to the 

 powder within. There are two doors, one on the out- 

 side, the other a few feet within ; the outer one is covered 

 with tin. There are several other small buildings under 

 the balcony, which are used for harness, tool-houses, meat, 

 etc. The space behind the warehouse between that and 

 the pickets, being free from buildings, affords a good 

 horse yard, and some shelter to the horses in bad weather. 

 The area of the fort within the fronts of the houses is 

 189 ft. long, and 141 ft. wide. In the centre of this 

 arises a flag-staff 63 ft. high. This is surrounded at the 

 base by a railing and panel work in an octagonal form, 

 enclosing a portion of ground 12 ft. in diameter, in which 

 are planted lettuce, radishes, and cress, and which presents 

 at the same time a useful and handsome appearance. By 

 the side of this stands a mounted four-pounder iron can- 



