A hunter's life. 260 



would faint with hunpi;er ; but I knew that I could have 

 gone on until dark if I had once got a shot at those deer. 

 They turned me toward the camp ; and, as we passed by 

 the place where I had killed the buck, we took his carcass 

 with us. John Lynn baked buckweat cakes, besides stew- 

 ing a fat hen-turkey, with potatoes and turnips ; and I 

 really thought that was the best meal I ever tasted in all 

 my life. 



We had commenced this hunt too late, for the deer and 

 bear were leaving those woods, which they always do as 

 soon as winter commences, for the country is cold and 

 damp. As soon as the game find cold weather setting in, 

 they travel to some more agreeable climate for winter 

 quarters. Being too late, and seeing that such was the 

 case, we closed the hunt with the slaughter of five deer, 

 and returned home. 



To such as are not accustomed to a wilderness life, this 

 fast of three days may seem to want some explanation ; 

 and in reference to it, I will only say that a man will live 

 a long time under the stimulus of a high fever; and I 

 know of no higher fever than that which may be excited 

 by the prospect of a bear-fight, or of securing half a dozen 

 fine fat bucks. 



Some time in September or October, I went to the 

 " Blooming Rose " on business, and called at the house of 

 Mr. Enlow, who, as I have before stated, married my 

 wife's sister. I staid with him all night ; during which 

 time he told me that, a few days before, he had seen a 

 place where bears had been feeding on chestnuts, and we 

 agreed to give them a chase. 



Accordingly, we made an early start next morning ; but, 

 on reaching the feeding-ground, we found we were too 

 late, as the bears had already left it. We sent oflf the 

 dogs after their trail, but by some means they became sepa- 

 rated ; and hearing one barking, we went to him, and 

 83* 



