The Audubon Reader by John James Audubon Read Free Book Online Page A

biographies what he called “episodes,” which more lightheartedly (sometimes even stretching the truth) described life on the American frontier as Audubon had encountered it living in Kentucky, Ohio and the American South
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    Beargrass Creek, which is one of the many beautiful streams of the highly cultivated and happy state of Kentucky, meanders through a deeply shaded growth of majestic beech woods in which are interspersed various species of walnut, oak, elm, ash and other trees extending on either side of its course. The spot on which I witnessed the celebration of an anniversary of the glorious proclamation of our independence is situated on its banks, near the city of Louisville. The woods spread their dense tufts towards the shores of the fair Ohio on the west and over the gently rising grounds to the south and east. Every open spot forming a plantation was smiling in the luxuriance of a summer harvest. The farmer seemed to stand in admiration of the spectacle: the trees of his orchards bowed their branches as if anxious to restore to their mother earth the fruit with which they were laden; the flocks leisurely ruminated as they lay on their grassy beds; and the genial warmth of the season seemed inclined to favor their repose.
    The free, single hearted Kentuckian, bold, erect and proud of his Virginian descent, had as usual made arrangements for celebrating the day of his country’s independence. The whole neighborhood joined with one consent. No personal invitation was required where everyone was welcomed by his neighbor, and from the governor to the guider of the plough all met with light hearts and merry faces.
    It was indeed a beautiful day; the bright sun rode in the clear blueheavens; the gentle breezes wafted around the odors of the gorgeous flowers; the little birds sang their sweetest songs in the woods and the fluttering insects danced in the sunbeams. Columbia’s sons and daughters seemed to have grown younger that morning. For a whole week or more, many servants and some masters had been busily engaged in clearing an area. The undergrowth had been carefully cut down, the low boughs lopped off and the grass alone, verdant and gay, remained to carpet the sylvan pavilion. Now the wagons were seen slowly moving along under their load of provisions, which had been prepared for the common benefit. Each denizen had freely given his ox, his ham, his venison, his turkeys and other fowls. Here were to be seen flagons of every beverage used in the country; “la belle rivière” had opened her finny stores; the melons of all sorts, peaches, plums and pears, would have sufficed to stock a market. In a word, Kentucky, the land of abundance, had supplied a feast for her children.
    A purling stream gave its waters freely, while the grateful breezes cooled the air. Columns of smoke from the newly-kindled fires rose above the trees; fifty cooks or more moved to and fro as they plied their trade; waiters of all qualities were disposing the dishes, the glasses and the punch-bowls amid vases filled with rich wines. “Old Monongahela” filled many a [whiskey] barrel for the crowd. And now the roasting viands perfume the air and all appearances conspire to predict the speedy commencement of a banquet such as may suit the vigorous appetite of American woodsmen. Every steward is at his post, ready to receive the joyous groups that at this moment begin to emerge from the dark recesses of the woods.
    Each comely fair one, clad in pure white, is seen advancing under the protection of her sturdy lover, the neighing of their prancing steeds proclaiming how proud they are of their burden. The youthful riders leap from their seats and the horses are speedily secured by twisting their bridles round a branch. As the youth of Kentucky lightly and gaily advanced towards the barbecue they resembled a procession of nymphs and disguised divinities. Fathers and mothers smiled upon them as they followed the brilliant cortege. In a short