80 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF 



meat, when we started for the place of safety, which was 

 about four miles. On we strode, with long steps, made in 

 as quick succession as possible, until my friend began to 

 complain that his feet were freezing. He swore they 

 would be frozen oft' to his ancles before we could reach 

 any house. I found mine were freezing too, and I waded 

 all the little streams we crossed ; but he would not go into 

 any water, for he said he had been in too much already; 

 so on we went, until we came to the house we had aimed 

 for. As soon as the man of the house saw our condition, 

 he brought some fresh spring-water, and put our feet and 

 legs in it for at least an hour, when the frost was drawn 

 out. 



We lodged there that night, and found next morning 

 that our feet were swelled and very sore ; but from my 

 fre(iueutly wetting mine in the little streams, they were 

 not so much injured as his were. 



From this time, I visited all my friends, and got ready 

 for my journey west. The night before the apjjointed 

 Thursday I was bent on spending, at any rate, within 

 sight of little Mary. I determined to commence talk- 

 ing with her in the presence of the whole family. Accord- 

 ingly, I went to the house, and spoke to the old man as 

 respectfully as I knew how ; and in a little while he said 

 to me, in a friendly tou*» • " So, Meshach, you are going 

 to leave ns, I ''c*.. 



" Yes, sir," was my ansv ,r. 



" How long do you intend staving ? " 



" Perhaps I shall no' return for years, and it may be 

 that I may not come at all." 



"Ah ! when you get among jtrangers, you will soon be 

 homesick, and back you will '/^me." 



"Well, Mr. McMulleu, thia is not impossible; but, sir, 

 I assur"} you 1 do not think Allegany county will see rae 

 soon again." 



