338 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OP 



where we enjoyed our buck's ribs when roasted, and spent 

 a pleasant night. 



The next morning we turned out, and, after hunting 

 nearly all day without success, in the evening we lost our- 

 selves ; when, finding night stealing on us, we selected a 

 large fallen tree, built up a fire against the side of it, mak- 

 ing it large and long enough to throw its heat on both of 

 us, then scraped together leaves in abundance, and laid 

 down on them. My son laid his feet in my bosom, and I 

 laid mine in his, each hugging the other's feet close. 

 When one turned the other turned also, and thus we spent 

 the night in tolerable comfort. 



The next day, being again unsuccessful, and not getting 

 any game, we went home, and subsequently sent for our 

 bucks, which we found safe from beasts and birds, and 

 brought home. 



The following spring brought with it many of my old 

 delights, such as the sweet chirping of birds, and the gob- 

 bling of wild as well as tame turkeys. I told Mary that 

 while the boys done the plowing, if she would attend the 

 mill, she should have all the tolls she could make, while I 

 would go and hunt at the Little Crossings, which was fif- 

 teen miles from home, and kill some bears. I knew she 

 would do so, for she frequently tended the mill while I was 

 absent ; and, indeed, she was the best miller on the place ; 

 for she knew how flour should be ground to make good 

 bread. 



She agreed to take charge of the mill until I returned, 

 and ofl" I went to the hunting-ground, which I reached by 

 four o'clock, and soon found there were no bears in those 

 woods. In the evening I was still looking from place to 

 place for bears, when I observed three deer at a great dis- 

 tance ; and as I saw uo chance of getting a bear, I con- 

 cluded to shoot the smallest deer So, creeping as near 



