A hunter's life. 181 



and enrolled by order of the Colonel of our regiment. I 

 think the President called for thirty men, or more, from 

 our county ; and in a few days a call arrived from Governor 

 Winder, for eighteen privates and one sergeant. The 

 commander of our company, Captain A. Beall, having 

 been appointed Clerk of the County Court, had gone to 

 Cumberland to attend to the duties of his office ; and 

 every other officer, both commissioned and non-commis- 

 sioned, had left the place, except two — Robinson Savage 

 and myself, who were sergeants. 



When the major came to make the draft for the eighteen 

 privates and one sergeant, tickets were prepared, and dis- 

 interested persons selected to conduct the drawing. This, 

 being but a small job was soon over, and Mr. Savage and 

 myself were required to draw ; when he, being called first, 

 drew his ticket, and left mine the draft. 



I thiMi went up to the colonel and asked him how I 

 would be situated. He told me that I could not be turned 

 into tlie ranks as a private ; but that I should serve as a 

 second sergeant, who was entitled to double rations and 

 twelve dollars a month. 



" Well, Colonel," said I, " that is all I could ask ; and 

 I will be at the rendezvous in Cumberland at the proper 

 time." 



I went home and prepared two pairs of new, strong 

 buckskin moccasins, saying to my wife, " I can, with these 

 on, outrun any British devil that has crossed the sea ; and 

 if I have to run after him, I can catch him ; but if he 

 chases me, he never can overhaul me. So I am ready for 

 a race either way, according as either offers the best 

 chances." 



" Well," said she, never disgrace yourself by running 

 while you have a chance to fight." 



1 assured her that I should be among the last who wjuld 

 ^6 



