262 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OP 



to take up the line of march, after breakfast we set out for 

 the Potomac. 



We had traveled but a few miles, when rain commenced 

 falling slowly, and continued all day. As we returned 

 from the previous trip, we found a fine sugar-camp, at the 

 foot of the Great Back-bone ; and there we proposed to 

 shelter ourselves that night. Late in the evening, we ar- 

 rived at the camp, wet and tired ; when the horses were 

 unloaded, and a fire was made as soon as possible, for we 

 were all cold, as well as wet. After feeding our horses, 

 the boys proposed that we should eat our supper ; but 

 telling them that I would rather dry my clothes, and get 

 warm before I ate, supper was put off for a short time, 

 while we all placed ourselves so as to share the heat of the 

 fire. After we became warm, we all fell into a sound sleep, 

 which lasted until nearly day-light, when the hooting of an 

 owl awakened me ; and as I knew that day was near, I 

 aroused the boys, who rose up quickly, and prepared for 

 breakfast. 



As it was too soon for me to breakfast, I fed the horses, 

 in order to have them ready for two of the smaller boys to 

 take home. Here John L., James, and myself, each packed 

 up as much provision as we could carry over the mountain, 

 as our horses could not accompany us any farther ; so I 

 postponed my breakfast, intending to eat it in the hunting 

 ground, at another time. 



After the horses were sent back, and our three loads tied 

 up, including an axe, pot, griddle, and provision, we then 

 took the provision which we could not carry with us, stowed 

 it behind a log, and covered it over with puncheons, and 

 cut pine and laurel bushes, which we strewed over the 

 ground so thickly, that a passer-by could not discover that 

 anything had ever been there. Then off we started for 

 the hunting ground, and on the way saw different herds 



