After the woodwork of the cabin was finished, the chinks were carefully plastered with a clayey mud which soon hardened in the hot weather and sunshine. In the meantime the women folks set to work to place the interior in order with such means as were at hand. Not many things had been brought along, and of these a number were still missing because of the Indian raid, and at the proper time Mrs. Parsons and the girls would have all they could do to spin, weave, or knit towels, bed-linen, and clothing.
The hard work brought with it one blessing. It took the minds of the workers from their sorrow, and had it not been for that one dark cloud all of the party would have been very happy.
“It’s an ideal spot for a home,” said Ezra Winship more than once. “I doubt if a better can be found anywhere.”
“I thought the soil amazingly rich,” answered Peter Parsons, “and the things that have been planted prove it. Everything is growing nicely.”
In those days a man could live only by what he planted and by what he hunted and fished, and, although no wheat or corn was sown that season by the Winships and the Parsons, a small tract of land was cleared and here the precious seeds of numerous kinds of vegetables were planted, peas, beans, onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips, as well as squashes, pumpkins, and the like, and some cuttings of vines which had been brought along.
One day a week was spent in hunting and fishing, the two boys going out one week and the two men folks the next.
“I saw the track of a number of deer this morning,” said Harry to Joe, on a Friday before the Saturday on which the pair were to go out and try their luck. “I wish we could spot some of ’em to-morrow.”
“Where did you see them, Harry?” questioned Joe with interest, for he was as anxious to add some venison to the home larder as was his chum.
“Up that little side stream, near the fallen walnut. I was up there after some sassafras and birch, and I counted at least six tracks leading from the turn of the brook.”
“We ought to go down early and try our luck with them.”