A hunter's LIFE. S9 



following Thursday should be the day when I would leave 

 Allegany ; which allowed me six days to bid farewell to 

 all my friends. 



I then left this much esteemed family, intending to visit 

 some other playmates and acquaintances. A friend pro- 

 posed a deer-hunt, there being a fine tracking snow on the 

 ground, to which I readily agreed, and off we went with 

 dog and gun. After traveling a long time, in the evening 

 we found a large buck. Having but one gun, and that 

 being mine, I took aim, let drive, and off went the buck. 

 We went to where he had stood when I had shot at him, 

 and, from the hair and blood he left in his tracks, we saw 

 he was wounded, and pursued him with rapid steps ; for 

 night was coming on We soon found him, for the poor 

 fellow had lain down from excessive pain and loss of blood. 

 As he made off again, we set on our dog, who was trem- 

 bling with eagerness for the chase. Off went Gunner, for 

 that was the dog's name, and we soon heard him at full 

 bay. Who should be up first was then the question to be 

 decided. Jump and jump we went, side by side, till my 

 strength and long wind prevailed, and I ran up first. But 

 in running through the bushes, some snow having fallen 

 on the lock of my gun, wet the powder, and it would not 

 fire. Here we were, with no means of helping poor Gun- 

 ner, or of keeping him from being injured by the buck's 

 sharp horns. At length, while the faithful dog was hold- 

 ing the buck by the nose, I drew my hunting-knife from 

 my belt and made a desperate pitch at the heart of the 

 infuriated beast, which laid him out dead in the creek, 

 where he had expected to be able to defend himself in the 

 water. 



My friend and myself were both wet to the knees, and 



the evening being very cold, it became necessary for us, a.s 



soon as possible, to make for the nearest house. With all 



possible haste we skinned the buck and secured the 



3* 



