258 THE FIRE HUNTEK. 



nected narrative, which, from his failing strength, 

 he was incapable of giving. 



" Bless God, me brudder, dat you find me here ! 

 Tis berry hard to die alone, in these dark woods ! 

 Life is sweet, me brudder. Oh ! dat God would let 

 me stay here longer ! But, I see how 'tis ! I must 

 go I feel it at my heart ! Maussa mustn't say I 

 die like a tief ! tell um all 'bout it ! If he bin here, 

 de fire hunter neber bin shoot me! Feel in me 

 pocket, brudder take out de paper wid de sugar. 

 Oh ! me blood upon it ! Neber mind ! gib it to 

 me poor wife : tell um to 'member me ! tell um, 

 for him sake I get me death ! I'm cold draw me 

 to the fire." 



And the poor fellow stretched himself out his 

 head sunk upon his brother's breast and he was a 

 corpse. 



NOTE. The practice of fire hunting, forbidden by 

 the laws, is nevertheless but too much pursued in 

 certain parts of the country. It is the author's aim, 

 in this narrative, to expose the dangers to property 

 and to life, attendant on this illicit practice. It is 

 nearer akin to poaching than to legitimate hunting ; 

 and he professes no personal acquaintance with it. 

 The sketch here given, unlike those that precede it, 

 must be considered as illustrative of life rather 



