48 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



absolutely necessary for the jaunt which I intended to 

 make. These consisted of a wooden box, containing a 

 small stock of linen, drawing paper, my journal, colors, 

 and pencils, together with twenty-five pounds of shot, 

 some flints, the due quantum of cash, my gun, Tear- 

 jacket, and a heart as true to nature as ever. 



Our coaches are none of the best, nor do they move 

 with the velocity of those of some other countries. It 

 was eight, and a dark night, when I reached Mauch 

 Chunk, now so celebrated in the Union, for its rich coal 

 mines, and eighty-eight miles distant. from Philadelphia. 

 I had passed through a very diversified country, part of 

 which was highly cultivated, while the rest was yet in a 

 state of nature, and consequently much more agreeable 

 to me. On alighting, I was shown to the travelers' 

 room, and, on asking for the landlord, saw, coming to- 

 wards me, a fine-looking young man, to whom I made 

 known my wishes. He spoke kindly, and offered to 

 lodge and board me at a much lower rate than travelers 

 who go there for the very simple pleasure of being 

 dragged on the railway. In a word, I was fixed in four 

 minutes, and that most comfortably. 



No sooner had the approach of day been announced by 

 the cocks of the little village, than I marched out with my 

 gun and note-book, to judge for myself of the wealth of 

 the country. After traversing much ground, and crossing 

 many steep hills, I returned, if not wearied, at least much 

 disappointed at the extraordinary scarcity of birds. So I 

 bargained to be carried in a cart, to the central parts of 

 Great Pine Swamp, and, although a heavy storm was 

 rising, ordered my conductor to proceed. 



