OLD BILL SMITH, THE SILENT HUNTER. 229 



of his days were spent in solitary quiet. He hunted just 

 enough to furnish him with food, and powder and shot — never 

 went near any one but Uncle Jake, who made his purchases 

 for him ; and at the age of eighty-eight was found dead in 

 his cabin. He seemed sleeping calmly, with a serene smile 

 still upon his face, such as might have greeted his Mattie 

 above, waiting for him. His face in death alone had lost 

 that still and fearful expression of astonied ferocity, which 

 was said never to have left it from the time of the death 

 of Mattie and his children. Monomaniacs are proverbially 

 known for the frequently marvellous cunning displayed by 

 them in bringing about the accomplishment of the one object, 

 which is the single thought of their lives. 



"Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord !" Who, at this time, 

 in weighing the acts of this remarkable man, while wasting 

 under the long fever of his terrible vengeance, shall venture 

 to forget, "Judge not, that ye be not judged !" 



It was ever thus that our Fathers of the Dark and Bloody 

 Ground were tried ! 



