Mistah Dane
dey made plans to cel'brate, so dat's what dey's doin' now. An'
listen, Cun'l, to de music. Simon's settin' on a log, playin' fo' all
he's worf, an' de young folks is a dancin'. Yo' bett'r come an' see
fo' yo' set."

"I can see from where I am, Mammy, if you will move aside," was the
reply. "I can't see very well through you."

With the woman's bulky body out of the way, the Colonel was enabled to
view all that was taking place near the shore. The fire lighted up the
ground for a considerable distance, so he could see the young people
moving to and fro, and hear their chatter and happy laughter. And in
their midst were Jean and Dane, the happiest of all. Occasionally a
young man would throw some wood, or a great root upon the fire. As the
flames leaped up anew, and masses of sparks were hurled in all
directions, shouts of merriment ascended, followed by shrieks of
laughter as the maidens fled from the falling, fiery shower. The
Colonel smiled as he watched the merrymakers. He liked to see them
happy. Their sojourn in the wilderness had not dampened their spirits,
and he knew that such people were the right pioneers for a new land.

Jean and Dane thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were pleased at the
interest taken on their behalf, and entered heartily into the spirit of
the gathering. As the evening wore on, and the dancing subsided, they
gathered in little groups around the fire, far enough away to escape
the intense heat. And here upon the ground they sat while the good
things which had been cooked that day were passed around. Then it was
that the older members of the settlement came to partake of the repast.
Several jugs containing West India spirits were produced, and all drank
to the health of the young couple they delighted to honour. The use of
this beverage was almost universal, being dispensed as an ordinary act
of hospitality, and no festive occasion was considered complete without
the flowing cup. Snuff-boxes were then brought forth, and their
contents liberally sampled, while those who smoked filled their piles
and lighted them with small burning embers. Snuff, like Jamaica
spirits and New England rum, was in more general use than tobacco.
Various were the shapes and designs of the snuff-boxes, some being of
considerable value. They were carried in the pockets, and two men
meeting would exchange whiffs as a matter of course. True hospitality
was deemed lacking where the fr