the stones, and baked it
for their frugal meal--their 'Johnny-cake.' At night they constructed a
little booth of bushes, with their fire at its entrance, and, as they
laid upon the boughs, their feet would be near the fire,--a great
protection against wild animals who infested the forest and who are
known to have great dread of fire.

"Each day was a repetition of its predecessor. Upon their arrival their
first efforts were directed to erecting a temporary wigwam of trees and
bushes in their new home, and all reposed on the boughs, prior to which
all joined in prayer and thanksgiving for their safe arrival and good
health. On the morrow, after locating the spot for buildings, they began
the erection of their log-houses, with one room, with opening for light,
and an attic, which was accessible by a small ladder. The crevices
between the logs were stopped with moss; the floor of the rooms, roofs,
and the attics and doors were of small poles. A few days were sufficient
to get their houses in the rough well under way. For food all had equal
rights and took an equal part in procuring it. Three or four took dog
and gun, and in an hour or two returned with a dead moose, bear, or
three or four deer on their shoulders. They subsisted largely upon game,
which was plenty in the forest, and when a change was desired they
sought fish, with which the streams abounded.

"A few months after their arrival, Mrs. Stephen Webster signified her
expectation of adding another member to her family. It was a matter
deemed of such importance that a town meeting was called, a moderator
and clerk chosen, and the vote put to the meeting upon the name which
should be given to the new-comer, which vote was unanimous 'if a boy his
name shall be Plymouth.' But their vote did not prevent its being a
girl, and she was called Lydia, with the remark, 'the first white child
born in Plymouth.'

"Upon one occasion, food being nearly exhausted, a settler took a bag,
went to Concord, got one hundred pounds of Indian meal, took it on his
shoulder, and carried it to Plymouth, sleeping on boughs, and baking
his corn-cake on a flat stone. His arrival was hailed with enthusiasm.
When tired of moose and bear meat they tried deer, rabbit, coon, and
turtle, then turned to salmon, eels, and pouts. For dessert they had
chestnuts, beech-nuts, and butternuts, and for drink they used the
checkerberry and hardhack, but mostly they used mountain tea and swamp
chocolate-ro