noon
We had brought away a supply of the cooked venison , and after rowing some distance the oars were laid in , and we turned to to breakfast . My uncle served out a cup of wine to each of the men ; it was the only liquid we had , as the water of the lake was salt . We would gladly have exchanged the wine for a cup of tea or even fresh water , as the rays of the sun , striking down from a cloudless sky , made us suffer greatly from thirst ; the men , especially , who had to row , felt the want of water . We at length , some time past noon , came in sight of the village , which stood close to the edge of the lake . Part of it consisted of Indian huts , scattered about without much order . At the further end , on slightly elevated ground , was a sort of fortification , surrounded by a mud wall , with loopholes for musketry , high palisades , and a chevaux-de-frise ; while above it floated the Republican flag . We saw sentries posted at each angle , who were evidently keeping a sharp look-out .