A hunter's LIFE. 78 



entered one ear, and came out at the other, scattering hit 

 brains all around. He measured eleven feet three inches 

 from the end of his nose to the tip of his tail. This was 

 the largest panther I ever killed, and I suppose I have 

 killed at least fifty in my time. 



I took from this fellow sixteen and a half pounds of 

 rendered tallow. It is something softer than mutton tal- 

 low, but by mixing it with one-fourth of its weight of 

 beeswax, it makes good candles. I continued hunting the 

 balance of the season, with little success — not killing any 

 bears, although there were great numbers of them in the 

 woods. However, I knew but little of the art of hunting. 



I continued with great glee to partake of all the pas- 

 times, attending the dances, shooting matches, etc. ; and 

 courting Mary occasionally, till our love was so confirmed, 

 that we were never so well pleased in any other company 

 but that of ourselves. In the year 1799, we being each 

 then in our eighteenth year, by the advice of both our 

 mothers, we agreed to put an end, by marriage, to a 

 courtship of five or six years' continuance ; and, accord- 

 ingly, the last day of April was fixed on for our wedding. 



As the day began to draw near, the old folks had to be 

 consulted ; but when I called on Mary's father, I told him 

 that I had but few words to say to him, having only to tell 

 him that I had been a long time in love with his daughter 

 Mary, and that I knew she loved me also ; that we had 

 determined that nothing but death should part us ; and 

 that, if he would please to give me his consent, I should 

 be very glad ; but that, as for me to live without her, was 

 out of the question. I also said : " Some man will marry 

 her, one day or other ; and I have determined that, at 

 the risk of my life, no man shall ever have her but 

 myself. " 



The old man kept quiet till I had done, when he said : 

 "You have had this matter all an-anged among your- 



