198 BOONEVTLLE TO SARATOGA. 



I 



tion. Occasionally, too, the smoke rose, around the point, 

 above the trees, from the cabin of old Alvah Dunning. 

 He had built his rude hut at the foot of a big tree, at the 

 edge of a clearing where Mr. Murray formerly camped, 

 and cultivated potatoes and a few other vegetables after a 

 very rudimentary fashion. His only companion was his 

 deer-hound. I want to speak very respectfully of Alvah, for 

 lie lent us a hoard for a table; but. Ned Buntline thought 

 lie was "an old scamp " and drove him out of this part of 

 of tin- wildernesx. ;l f,.\\ years ;m<.. hy some remarkahly 

 close rifle-shooting. When Ned ceased returning to his 

 Kagle's Nest." Alvah came hark a-ain. and now lives his 

 hermit life without fear of the avenging wrath which was 

 kindled by the theft of a boat, committed by somebody. 



Of a sunny afternoon, as we lay on the grassy shore, we 

 occasionally saw new parties going to camp at the north 

 end of the lake. The gay flotillas sometimes gave the stars 

 and -tripes to the breeze, and as they pa--<<! , imp after 

 camp, a lusty voice called out in resonant tones for all 

 within hearing, " I'nited Slates Mail! Letters and papers! 

 Who arc you?" Responding lo the call with our names. 

 "No mail!" or "Letters!" as the case might he. \\ould 

 he answered hack. 



Sometimes, parties of two or three came to our landing at 

 the foot of the old and deserted "Wood's Place," to pick 

 berries on the hill, and we had pleasant chats with them. 

 Two young fellows left their gun, which they apparently 

 always took with them, standing by our favorite big tree. 

 The next day they returned for it. 



