A hunter's life 333 



[ ever killed — the two hams, not inchiding the loin, or 

 what is called the sad'ile, weighed ninety-four pounds ; 

 and if the loin had been attached, the whole would have 

 weighed nearly a hundred and twenty pounds. 



After this hunt, I again went to the same grounds, and 

 spent a week, with but small success ; though, while re- 

 turning home, I saw a fine buck lying down, with nothing 

 but his head visible. 1 walked softly up, until I was within 

 close shooting distance, when, taking good aim at the side 

 of his head, I sent a ball from my big rifle through the 

 middle of it, and settled his account. I skinned him, hung 

 him up and continued my course toward home, stopping 

 on the way at the liouse of Mr. James Cunningham, who 

 was a hunter, and whose lady was extremely fond of honey 

 in the combs. 



Mr. Cunningham asked me if there were any bee-trees 

 yet standing in the woods. I told him there was one, and 

 only one, that I knew of, which was at least two miles from 

 his house, on the route to my home ; but that I thought 

 we would not have time to cut the tree down that evening. 

 Indeed, I did not like to lose the time necessary to fell it, 

 for I was anxious to get home, as it was a cold evening, 

 and there was a little snow fluttering through the air. But 

 no excuse would serve ; the honey must be obtained at all 

 risks. 



Recollecting that there was a small tree standing close 

 to the one in which the bees swarmed, I told Mr. C. that 

 if he would take with him a long rope and his tomahawk, 

 I thought I could climb the tree and cut the honey out — 

 thus dispensing with the trouble of felling it. He procured 

 a bed-cord, a bucket, and a tomahawk, and was soon ready 

 for this honey hunting expedition. Off we started in all 

 haste, and easily found ttie tree. I climbed the small tree 

 until I was opposite the hole through which the bees en- 

 tered, -vhen I pounded on the tree, and finding that it was 



