Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-04-13

camp tonight 10 the sugar,
Ing Off and We want you to 80 with
vs."
Thus spoke Jim Watson, hand
some. sturdy Green Mountain boy,
one bright afternoon in March, many
years ago.
I'm with You. At what time shall
W. start:' asked Simon jackson, who
was always ready and willing to join
in any kind of sport.
About seven o'clock. That's as
soon as We can get everything ready.
We are going TO take fathers two
horses, and Joe Blaisdcll is to have
their new l?yrack put on Il pair Of
slcdS.'
".\ll Fight sa." Jackson. an meet
You at .ioc's house. suppose we shall
START from thcrc:'
Yes, and you'd better bling your
gun along. Tb""r has been som" t'iik
lately, and although we don't anlici-
pate any trouble, it's Just as well TO be
preparcd.'
Tho distance from The little town Of
C to the sugar camp was some
twelve miles. At seven o'clock the
L, d painted hay rack, Wlth ils load o.
youn% men and maihcns, drawn by
two Of the best horses in the Stale,
LETT the house Of Farmer BlniStl"li
amid n jingle OF bells and shouts OF
morrimcnt.
The horses were driven ly Simon
jackson, noted for his courage, skill
and prodigious strength. IT was about
nine o'clock when he brought his team
up to the camp, situated on the edge
Of small clearing in one Of the larG-
est rock maple orchards in that re-
gion. Old man johnson, with his wife,
Betsey, and two grown-up boys, were
waiting in front of the large open fire
to give them welcome, and in II short
tim" the horses were sheltered and lh"
bolStcrOuS party went inside the camp,
when the fun OF the evening began.
Many Of our readers, We doubt not,
have visited iii" sugar camps OF Ncr-
mont and other States where the rock
maple thrivcS. and watched the sugar
makers as they dipped the syrup from
the large. shallow iron pans and
poured it into moulds from which they
shortly took cases o. sugar Of all siEr+
and shapes. In the primitive days O.
which we speak. til" early days Of thu
nineteenth century, the appliances
,pn r.,n i;lInpI 'il,r m .
syrup, however, were just as sweet
and palatab!c as now, and the fun rs
great. But all things must have al
end, ana at about eleven O'clock the
young folk all climbed aboard the
roomy hay-rack, and wrapped in woii
skins and blankets, with each partclI
lar swain in close prCXiaily TO his
chosen sweetheart, they started home
ward.
Nearly half the distance had been
traverscd without Incident when tic
rapid tramp of horses hoofs told iii,
party that they were followed. The
road was rs straight as the track OF q
bullet, and rs Jackson glanced behind
him, Il quarter OF Il mile away, 4 dark
patch on the white ground WAS easily
disccrniblc, and his sharp eyes tolt
him that Il band OF Indian warriors
were approaching.
NO use. boys. 10 try to fight thai
crowd: they are four to one; our only
hope is i'll the speed OF the horses" hl
said. But have your weapons ready
~, Ia,
within gunshot." Then he erhSpej
the rcns more firmly and the race fOl
If" began.
Now the speed and endurance Of tn,
| old Morgan sock would have an op
| portunity to show itself. How th0S,
horses ran. They seemed to know tina
| youthful hearts were urging them t,
do their best. And Jackson's cain
tones. as he encouraged them on, mad,
! them feel that Il firm hand guided them
The men VI the party crouchcd in tn,
rear end of the rack, rifles extended
watching with eagle eyes the ap
preaching savaGes. ready TO Gcfent
their helpless women to tnc last hrea th
Make every shot count, boys sal,
Sine. The heavy load is killing tn,
horses ut this pace, and we may have
to give 'cm fight yet"
"All right" answered Jim Watson
chcerily. I'VE are good for eight o.
the red dogs. anyway Keep the
horses on the jump till they drop, an,
! then we'll fight il out"
| c., 7,