A hunter's life. ti*! 



which were valuable — one three-year old, one two-year 

 old, and a sucking colt. The best mare, which was suck- 

 ling the colt, got into the stable with mother's mare, and 

 was kicked so badly, that she died the second day after. 

 The three-year old colt had an operation performed on 

 him, and bled to death the same night ; and the two-year 

 old colt took the yellow water, and died the same night on 

 which the other bled to death ; so I had but one left, and 

 she was sick. My mother traded her large mare to Col. 

 Lynn for two small ones, in order to help move me out to 

 Ohio ; but when the time came to start I could not get a 

 dollar of my money ; aud there I was, with not a living 

 beast but that sick mare and one dog, for Watch had died 

 of the distemper. 



Mother was almost crazy, but poor little Mary stood 

 firm, saying : " God was able to save us, as He had done 

 before." My mother departed as soon as she saw that I 

 could not accompany her, and left Mary and myself to do 

 the best we could. I was completely ruined, not having 

 even a cow, nor would the Doctor give me one back for 

 what he bought them. I cannot remember how we got 

 our children along without their milk and butter, which 

 they had always been used to having in plenty. I became 

 so dejected and out of heart, that I could do nothing but 

 sit and fret, and I did not pretend to hunt or do anything 

 for a week or two. 



Mary went into Mr. Friend's neighborhood, which was 

 five miles distant, and there she found a pedlar selling 

 gunpowder and lead, which the hunters said were the best 

 they ever had. Mary bought two pounds of powder and 

 four pounds of lead, which she brought home, and gave 

 me, saying : " Here, Meshach, is powder and lead enough 

 to last you all the fall. Now do let me beg of you to 

 cheer up, take your gun, and try your luck. You have 

 been very successful in all your hunting ; and if you give 



