102 FOKTY-FOUR YEARS OF 



creek, where I found he had crossed. Down the creek I 

 went to a saw-mill, then crossed over, and went up the 

 creek until I found his tracks again, which I followed for 

 about a mile, when the dogs winded him on the steep side 

 of a hill. Off they broke down the hill, till they came to 

 a large rock, with a shelter under the south side, where 

 the sun shone warmly. The wolf was here found, so fast 

 asleep that the dogs were on him before he knew anything 

 about them. Being prime animals, they dragged him from 

 his lurking-place, and held him, while I beat him to death 

 with a club. A premium of eight dollars was paid for 

 his head by the county, and this sum was set apart for 

 Mary to buy ware for her dresser. 



Everything seemed to be going on to our entire satisfac- 

 tion, until toward the close of the winter, when there came 

 a false claimant for my farm, who demanded immediate 

 possession of my premises, and threatened that, if I did 

 not comply, I would be ejected according to law. By this 

 time I had, by trading, managed to obtain three cows and 

 eleven sheep, which, with my colt, constituted all my pro- 

 perty; and, being afraid of a prosecution which would 

 strip me of all I was worth, I concluded to surrender pos- 

 session, turn out, and endeavor to get me some other resi- 

 dence. I could secure no farm in the neighborhood ; and 

 knowing that I had no means of buying farming utensils, 

 I consulted with my wife, and proposed removing to the 

 Glades, where we would be sure of plenty of grass for our 

 stock. I told her that I could supply our table with meat 

 at any and all times ; and that, if she would go with me, 

 I would risk it anyhow. She made no objection, but very 

 cheerfully agreed to go to any place where I thought I 

 could make a living. This being agreed on, we gathered 

 up our little stocl ; and her father (who was, as I thought, 

 glad that 1 waa leaving his neighborhood) helped us with 

 two of his horses, and Uncle Spurgin with one of his. 



