INTRODUCTION • 



occasioniilly used, which I sliould omit if the work \vere 

 intended exclusively for a particular class of readers ; but 

 as all classes will probably read it, and find portions suited 

 to their tastes, the selection is left to the general reader, 

 and these phrases and incidents are retained as furnished 

 b} the Author. 



Few persons, it is believed, can fail to find something in 

 the volume to interest them ; as there are occasional touches 

 of genuine humor, details of a9"ecting incidents, and evi- 

 dences of enduring energy and perseverance, conjoined with 

 the most undaunted firmness, that seemed to know no fear 

 in a hand-to-hand conflict with savage beasts of prey — in 

 fact, even bearding the bear in his den. 



Meshach Browning's life may be deemed an eventful one, 

 considering the almost constant risks he ran of losing it in 

 his many dangerous conflicts with bears, panthers, wolves, 

 and wounded bucks ; for the latter are scarcely less to be 

 feared than the former, as their sharp horns, and keen, cut- 

 ting hoofs, are wielded with as much strength and skill, 

 both in attack and defence, as are the teeth and claws of 

 the beasts of prey. 



It is impossible to state with accuracy how many of the 

 denizens of the forest have fallen victims to his unerring 

 rifle and deadly hunting-knife ; for he hunted regularly 

 during forty-four years, and thus the greater portion of 

 that time supplied his family, besides occasionally selling 

 large quantities of venison and bear-meat. Comparatively 

 but few of his many hunting scenes are here referred to ; 

 but he stated to me that, from the best estimate he could 

 make, ard from data considered reliable, he had killed from 



