A HUNTEtt's I, IFE. 20l 



caveat was issued to prevent me from obtaining a patent 

 for a certain tract of land in Allegany county. 



When I was nearly ready to leave, Mary asked me to 

 take her with me as far as Montgomery county, where 1 

 had a brother living, vvith whom she would stay until I 

 returned from Annapolis. I at once agreed, and was 

 much pleased to do so, as this was the first time she had 

 ever made such a request of me. We made our prepara- 

 tions, and took leave of our children, the youngest being 

 a very interesting little boy, just weaned. Mary parted 

 from them with tears in her eyes, but soon became cheer- 

 ful again. 



We performed the journey without any difficulty, except 

 considerable fatigue, and arrived at my brother's, where 

 we were cordially welcomed by the family, who were de- 

 lighted with their new aunt. When the llth day of June 

 drew near (for I had allowed myself ample time to meet 

 the trial), I left Mary, and went on to Annapolis, where 

 I arrived on Saturday evening. 



Having taken lodgings at Mr. Isaac Holland's hotel, I 

 ate my dinner, and was resting myself after my ride, when 

 a fine-looking man, dressed in regimentals, handed me a 

 letter from Captain Archer, who commanded a company 

 of soldiers stationed at the barracks. He had been in 

 Allegany, with Captain Shriver, and other engineers, 

 taking the grade of the dififerent water-courses running 

 through the Glades, with the view of extending the canal 

 to the Ohio ; and had seen me in his travels, though I 

 had forgotten him. 



When I was pi-eparing to go to Annapolis, I told Mary 

 to make me as nice a hunting-shirt as she could ; and she 

 did make as handsome a one as I had ever seen. Dressed 

 in this, and a neat pair of moccasins, I appeared in the 

 city, where I excited some curiosity; for every one who 

 saw me stared as if looking at an Indian chief. 



