A hunter's life 291 



know where I was ; for I ran the day before regardless of 

 where I went, and when night came I was completely be- 

 wildered. So I parleyed with myself, whether I would 

 again follow the panther's track, or steer for home ; which 

 must be between fifteen and twenty miles distant. I felt a 

 little weak, and found that the panther fever was fast abat- 

 ing ; and I knew that if it left me altogether I should be 

 hungry, and unable to hold out another day. Added to 

 all that, snow began to fall fast, obscuring the tracks. So 

 I decided to steer for Mr. Little's, as his residence was 

 seven miles nearer than my own. 



I guessed at my position, and after traveling about five 

 miles, I found I was right, and in the direct course for 

 Little's farm. I took a straight line, regardless of laurel 

 or any other thing, and succeeded in reaching Little's 

 about twelve o'clock; but there was no one at home. As 

 the door was not locked, I opened it, and found the house 

 not only warm and comfortable, but in a cupboard a loaf 

 of good bread, with crocks of sweet milk and butter ; and 

 sitting down, I made a good dinner. 



The heat of the room, and my dinner, made me so 

 sleepy that I was tempted to go to bed ; but feeling cer- 

 tain that Mary was anxiously waiting to hear what had 

 become of me, for she knew I had gone on a panther-hunt, 

 and was always uneasy when I staid out over night on 

 such occasions, and as my poor dogs looked very hungry, 

 I kept on, though I had seven miles still to travel. But I 

 persevered until I reached home, and never went on a 

 panther-hunt afterwards. 



The business of my farm and my mill occupied me until 

 the following autumn, when Hugh McMullen asked me to 

 go with him to the head of the Potomac to hunt bears. 



After having plenty of biscuts and rolls baked, we 

 started off, carrying our provisions in our blankets, as we 

 had th'>ty odd miles to travel. Our course lay up the 



