Ludlow knew his audience and he saw his chance. Setting the words
to Risk”s tune, ‘Love Laughs’ at Locksmiths, donning the costume
of a Western riverman, and arming himself with a long ’squirrel’
rifle, he presented himself before the house. The rivermen who
filled the pit received him, it is related, with ‘a prolonged
whoop, or howl, such as Indians give when they are especially
pleased.’ And to these sturdy men the words of his song made a
strong appeal: