Such merry-makings were attended from far and near, offering a most welcome break to the dreariness of life on the lonely clearings in the midst of the forest.
Ordinarily the frontiersman at his home only drank milk or water; but at the taverns and social gatherings there was much drunkenness, for the men craved whiskey, drinking the fiery liquor in huge draughts.

Often the orgies ended with brutal brawls.

To outsiders the craving of the backwoodsman for whiskey was one of his least attractive traits.
[Footnote: Perrin Du Lac, p.

131; Michaux, 95, etc.] It must always be remembered, however, that even the most friendly outsider is apt to apply to others his own standards in matters of judgment.

The average traveller overstated the drunkenness of the backwoodsman, exactly as he overstated his misery.
Roughness and Poverty of the Life.
Its Attractiveness.
The frontiersman was very poor.