They are used to sleeping indoors in winter, herded before fires, and so they feel the change.

Still, the regiment is as healthy as the average, and experience will teach us something.* * A second winter's experience removed all this solicitude, for they learned to take care of themselves.

During the first February the sick-list averaged about ninety, during the second about thirty, this being the worst month in the year for blacks.
December 30.
On the first of January we are to have a slight collation, ten oxen or so, barbecued,--or not properly barbecued, but roasted whole.

Touching the length of time required to "do" an ox, no two housekeepers appear to agree.

Accounts vary from two hours to twenty-four.