Chapter 9 - Page 2

no one was excluded from their enjoyment. The
meanest individual at Oswego habitually feasted on game that would
have formed the boast of a Parisian table; and it was no more
than a healthful commentary on the caprices of taste, and of the
waywardness of human desires, that the very diet which in other
scenes would have been deemed the subject of envy and repinings got
to pall on the appetite. The coarse and regular food of the army,
which it became necessary to husband on account of the difficulty
of transportation, rose in the estimation of the common soldier;
and at any time he would cheerfully desert his venison, and ducks,
and pigeons, and salmon, to banquet on the sweets of pickled pork,
stringy turnips, and half-cooked cabbage.

The table of Sergeant Dunham, as a matter of course, partook
of the abundance and luxuries of the frontier, as well as of its
privations. A delicious broiled salmon smoked on a homely platter,
hot venison steaks sent up their appetizing odors, and several
dishes of cold meats, all of which were composed of game, had been
set before the guests, in honor of the newly arrived visitors, and
in vindication of the old soldier's hospitality.

"You do not seem to be on short allowance in this quarter of the
world, Sergeant," said Cap, after he had got fairly initiated into
the mysteries of the different dishes; "your salmon might satisfy
a Scotsman."

"It fails to do it, notwithstanding, brother Cap; for among two or
three hundred of the fellows that we have in this garrison there
are not half a dozen who will not swear that the fish is unfit to
be eaten. Even some of the lads, who never tasted venison except
as poachers at home, turn up their noses at the fattest haunches
that we get here."

"Ay, that is Christian natur'," put in Pathfinder; "and I must say
it is none to its credit. Now, a red-skin never repines, but is
always thankful for the food he gets, whether it be fat or lean,
venison or bear, wild turkey's breast or wild goose's wing. To
the shame of us white men be it said, that we look upon blessings
without satisfaction, and consider trifling evils as matters of
great account."

"It is so with the 55th, as I can answer, though I cannot say as
much for their Christianity," returned the Sergeant. "Even the
major himself, old Duncan of Lundie, will sometimes swear that an
oatmeal cake is better fare than the Oswego bass, and sigh for a
swallow of Highland water, when, if so minded, he has the whole of
Ontario to quench his thirst in."

"Has Major Duncan a wife and children?" asked Mabel, whose thoughts
naturally turned towards her own sex in her new