S40 FOUTT-FOUR YEARS OF 



I was just getting to be desirous for another hunt, when 

 two of my neighbors proposed that we should go to the 

 " Land flowing with Milk and Honey;" though there were 

 such quantities of rattlesnakes in that region that I was 

 somewhat afraid to venture there. However, concluding 

 to go with them, we set out for the land of rattlesnakes, 

 and arrived at the ground in time to make an evening 

 hunt. 



I took long grass, and, making a long rope of it, I 

 wrapped it round my legs to my knees, which made it im- 

 possible for the teeth of the snakes to reach the skin, and 

 out I started, and found that deer were very numerous. 



I had hunted but a short time, when, seeing a small 

 buck, I cracked away at him. He ran but a few rods, and 

 fell dead. I dressed him, left him on the ground, and con- 

 tinued my hunt ; and after traveling less than a mile, ob- 

 serving a doe among some thick bushes, I let fly at her, 

 d.nd broke her back. 



By the time I had cleaned her, it was evening, and get- 

 ting dark. I was then a mile or two from camp ; and, 

 being very much afraid of the snakes, I took a shoulder 

 from the doe, which was in fine order, as she had no fawns, 

 and started for that place. 



As I went on, walking fast, I came to some shelly rocks, 

 when the snakes began to rattle ; the weeds seemed to be 

 shaking all around me, and I could see them twisting 

 themselves in every direction. I did not stop to look, but 

 took to my heels for life, and ran for some distaiice. I 

 began to take it a little more coolly as I drew near the 

 camp ; and looking to my right, toward the top of a steep 

 bluff, I observed the body and head of a deer within close 

 range. I could not then distinguish the sights on my rifle ; 

 but making the best guess possible, I fired, and down it 

 fell. I ran to it, cut its throat, soon had it cleaned, and 



