At noon one of them sounded a conch shell.

Then with shouts of joy the men hurried to the fireside and for a moment there was a great spluttering over the wash basins.

Before they ate every man except Abe and Samson "took a pull at the jug--long or short"-- to quote a phrase of the time.
It was a cheerful company that sat down upon the grass around the table with loaded plates.

Their food had its extra seasoning of merry jests and loud laughter.

Sarah was a little shocked at the forthright directness of their eating, no knives or forks or napkins being needed in that process.
Having eaten, washed and packed away their dishes the women went home at two.