A uunter's life. 199 



of hunting ; and, listening to the sporting tales of some 

 of our company, I found that their exploits were confined 

 to the killing of two or three rabbits ; ten, twelve, or 

 twenty partridges ; two, three, or four squirrels ; and 

 80 on. 



At last my brother said, that on one cold, frosty morn- 

 ing, he went out to hunt rabbits, when he caught two in a 

 short time, and was on his way home before breakfast, 

 when he found the tracks of a third, and followed them on 

 towards his house, to a small stable, under which the rab- 

 bit had gone. He gathered all the dogs, as well as all 

 the hands about the place, and tore up the floor ; when 

 out darted the rabbit toward the woods, amidst yelliug 

 dogs and shouting boys ; but one dog being more fleet 

 than the rest, the poor rabbit was fairly run down, and 

 thus he obtained three fine rabbits before breakfast. 



This being the best hunt described, among a good many, 

 it seemed to meet with such marked attention, that I felt 

 afraid to speak of some of my adventures in that line, lest 

 the company might think I intended to turn their sporting 

 into ridicule, by telling the greatest lies I could invent ; 

 consequently, I told but few, and those only such as I 

 thought they could easily believe, and which would at 

 least give no offence to my sporting friends. 



The night being far advanced, the company retired ; 

 when my brother and I occupied the same bed, where we 

 talked the whole night, and until it was broad day-light. 

 It was necessary for me, however, to attend to my horses ; 

 so we rose, dressed, and went out to the team. On our 

 return to the room, as there were many persons taking 

 their bitters, I asked my brother what we should drink. 

 He said that he seldom used spirits of any kind, but with 

 me he would take whatever I chose. So we took a glass 

 of brandy, and then ate our breakfast, by which time the 

 Dsller had my ream geared, and ready to hitch up. 



