Then Samson sang songs and told stories or played upon the violin to amuse the family.

The violin invariably woke the birds in the tree-tops, and some, probably thrushes or warblers or white throated sparrows, began twittering.

Now and then one would express his view of the disturbance with a little phrase of song.

Often the player paused to hear these musical whispers "up in the gallery," as he was wont to call it.
Often if the others were weary and depressed he would dance merrily around the fire, playing a lively tune, with Sambo glad to lend a helping foot and much noise to the program.

If mosquitos and flies were troublesome Samson built smudges, filling their camp with the smoky incense of dead leaves, in which often the flavor of pine and balsam was mingled.