X INTRODUCTION. 



To live far beyond the usual period allotted to man — 

 "three score years and ten" — and receive the commenda- 

 tion, "I have never known of anytliing to impair his 

 character," is a legacy which should be more highly prized 

 by the descendants of an author, or indeed of any one. than 

 silver and gold. 



Edward Stabler. 



Haeewood, Md., 1859. 



Note. — After the ■work was in press, the following unsolicited 



letter was received from a prominent citizen of Allegany county — 



viz. : 



Accn>ENT, Alleoam County, Md., March 30, 1869. 

 E. Stabler, Esq. 



Dear Sir: — I have seen in the public prints, sketches of the 

 life and adventures of Meshach Browning, for forty-four years a 

 hunter in the Allegany Mountains; and understand that you are 

 about to have his memoir printed, and published in book form. I 

 beg leave to say to you, and to the public, that I have been person- 

 ally acquainted with Mr. Browning for twenty-five years, and know 

 him to be a man of sterling integrity ; and that he is entitled to 

 receive at the hands of the public full credit for every word that he 

 has written. 



This woi'k is the narration of facts as they occurred ; and having 

 spent a great portion of his life in camps, erected in the wilderness 

 for the purpose of hunting, many things may appear strange, and 

 almost miraculous, to those who are not acquainted with a hunter's 

 life ; yet they are nevertheless true, and can be vouched for. Mr. 

 Browning was among the first settlers here, and is one of Kature's 

 noblest works. 



I:npatiently waiting the publication of this work, 



I am, dear sir, yours very truly, 



BlOHARD FaIBALL. 



