CHAPTER :il. 



CAPTURING A LIVE ELK. 



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In 1799, my father being at Irving Stephenson'* 

 tavern, at the mouth of Pine Creek, found there a 

 large collection of men. A horse called the Blue 

 Dun, was kept there. It was a very large and 

 powerful horse, and it was with difficulty that three 

 men could take him from the stable. My father 

 witnessed the operation, and laughed, saying that he 

 could take the horse from tbe stable without any 

 assistance. The others disputed this stoutly, saying 

 tliat the horse would kill him if he attempted it; 

 upon which he offered to bet twenty dollars that he 

 could perforin it. His offer was soon accepted, and 

 as he had not the money by him, he requested the 

 loan of twenty dollars of an acquaintance who stood 

 near. The man readily granted his request, and 

 offered to go halves with him. He felt confident, 

 from his acquaintance with my father, that he would 

 accomplish it. The money was accordingly staked. 

 Stevenson then remarked that four were concerned, 

 two on a side ; and proposed to add to the bet four 

 bottles of wine and four dinners. The opposite 

 party thought there was no risk, and were willing to 

 bet any thing ; so the proposal was accepted. My 



