148 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF 



up this way, what will become of us all ? You know that 

 all depends on you, for I have no way of doing anything ; 

 and if you give up to your feelings, you may get out of 

 your mind." 



I asked her how she obtained the powder and lead. 

 She replied that the pedlar had trusted her, and that he 

 would wait till Christmas, and take skins or hams in pay- 

 ment. So I set about making ready to try my luck next 

 day. After running as many balls as were necessary, and 

 filling my powder-horn, we retired to rest, and Mary 

 said : 



" Now, when morning comes, I will awaken you early, 

 and I hope you will cheer up. Don't give way to your 

 feelings. Remember what you told me when we began to 

 keep house. You told me you were strong, and could 

 make a living in any place ; and that, if we would trust 

 in God, we would never be left to starve." 



I shall always remember her saying that poverty was 

 not treason, and that we could not be hung for being poor. 

 "Well," said I, "my dear Mary, I will from this time 

 again try to make a raise, and while you retain your 

 health, I will consider myself rich." 



When daylight came, I rose and started for the woods. 

 I hunted with all ray judgment till in the afternoon, but 

 saw nothing except a pheasant, which I shot, made a little 

 fire, broiled it, and ate it for my dinner that day. After 

 dinner I went into the beech ground, and there saw a deer, 

 and soon after two more. I commenced to creep toward 

 them, and having got as close as I wanted to be, was wait- 

 ing to get a shot at the side of one, when another at a 

 little distance snorted and ran, and as they all followed, I 

 got no shot after all. I then went to my old camp, where 

 I made a fire, in order to have it ready at night, and then 

 started cit for a hunt. 



I had gone but a short distance, when I missed my dog. 



