CHAPTER IX

"BREAKING CAMP"


We were now all eager to get away, and the weather favored our
wishes. A warm rain with a high south wind set in, and the ice
disappeared from the river like magic. I learned that the afternoon
boat which touched at Maizeville would begin its trips in the
following week.

I told my wife about the furniture which still remained in the
house, and the prices which John Jones put upon it. We therefore
found that we could dispose of a number of bulky articles in our
city apartments, and save a goodly sum in cartage and freight. Like
soldiers short of ammunition, we had to make every dollar tell, and
when by thought and management we could save a little it was talked
over as a triumph to be proud of.

The children entered into the spirit of the thing with great zest.
They were all going to be hardy pioneers. One evening I described
the landing of the "Mayflower," and some of the New-England winters
that followed, and they wished to come down to Indian meal at once
as a steady diet. Indeed, toward the last, we did come down to
rather plain fare, for in packing up one thing after another we at
last reached the cooking utensils.

On the morning of the day preceding the one of our departure I began
to use military figures of speech.