 was the salmon of the lakes, a
variety of that well-known species, that is scarcely inferior to the delicious
salmon of Northern Europe. Of the different migratory birds that frequent
forests and waters, there was the same affluence, hundreds of acres of geese and
ducks being often seen, at a time, in the great bays that indented the shores of
the lake. Deer, bears, rabbits and squirrels, with divers other quadrupeds,
among which was sometimes included the elk, or moose, helped to complete the sum
of the natural supplies, on which all the posts depended more or less, to
relieve the unavoidable privations of their remote frontier positions.
    In a place where viands, that would elsewhere be deemed great luxuries, were
so abundant, 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 appetites. 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 Serjeant 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 odours 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
visiters, and in vindication of the old soldier's hospitality.
    »You do not seem to be on short allowance, in this quarter of the world,
serjeant,« 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 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
