INTROPUCTION. VU 



display, and devoid of egotism. The abrupt, nay even 

 rude style, as it may appear to some, seems to be exactly 

 suited to the subject — as " an abrupt and plain style some- 

 times bears thoughts quickest to the seat of judgment" — 

 and so readily comprehended by all, that the reader follows 

 his game, feeling all the excitement of the chase and the 

 energy of a Nimrod, without incurring either danger or 

 fatigue. 



After the revision of the manuscript, I placed it for 

 perusal in the hands of a friend (himself, in early life, a 

 successful hunter in Kentucky, and also personally known 

 to the author), on whose judgment, in matters of taste or 

 opinion, I strongly rely, requesting him to review the worL 

 His opinion is appended : 



Silver Speings, March 2d, 1859. 

 Friend Stabler 



The perusal of the manuscript memoir of the old Hunter who 

 began his career more than half a century ago — and who now, on the 

 verge of 80, is preparing for another bear campaign, gave me delight 

 instead of labor. I advise its publication, just as given with his own 

 sturdy pen, barely correcting the grammatical errors with which it 

 abounds. Indeed, these mistakes give such proof of the difficulty 

 with which, as an author, this man of the wilderness had to contend, 

 and they are so thoroughly redeemed by the good sense, good feeling, 

 the rustic humor of the narrator, and the interest of his story, that 

 I would prefer to let these blemishes stand, but that this age of uni- 

 versal scholarship is so fastidious about correct spelling and making 

 verbs and their nominatives agree. As a striking picture of the trying 

 life which creates the character of an American backwoodsman, the 

 face of the autograph and the peculiar phraseology (giving evidence 

 throughout of a struggle with literature, yet making it subservient 

 oy the power of intellect), has somewhat the effect of the harsh 

 Scotch dialect in giving force to expression in our language. When 

 our race of hardy pioneers is gone, I think this original work of the 

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