258 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF 



found any game. At last, seeing a herd of deer feeding, 

 I crept within shooting distance, though at long range, 

 and fired ; when, instead of the rest standing until my 

 young friend had a chance to try his skill, they all cleared 

 cut. 



We then took the track of the wounded buck, and soon 

 discovered him, lying down. I took my friend up within 

 a short distance, and told him to take good aim, when he 

 shot at the deer's head, and killed him nicely. He was 

 much pleased with his shot, but killed no more game that 

 day. 



On going home, he received business letters from Balti- 

 more, which prevented us from hunting together any more 

 that fall, and, indeed, for ever ; for he never returned, as 

 he was thrown from his horse, and died in a short time. 

 If he had lived to come back to Allegany, he would have 

 been a good hunter and an excellent neighbor. I consi- 

 dered him a highly honorable young man. 



A short time after this, my second son, John Lynn, said 

 to me, " If I had any one to accompany me, I would go 

 to the head of the North Branch of the Potomac," (which 

 was the greatest wilderness we were acquainted with,) 

 "and seek some place which no hunter has ever yet 

 trod." 



I told him that I would go with him, though, as every- 

 body called me " old man," it was thought that I was fail- 

 ing in strength and activity. 



" Well," said he, " if you were able to walk with me, I 

 would want no better fun than to travel through that wil- 

 derness ; but, father, you cannot bear up to travel with 

 me on so long a trip." 



"Very well, John," I replied; "if I undertake it, and 

 give out, you'll be glad to stop also, I can assure you ; for 

 1 do not think I have a son who is yet able to tire me io 



