BUCK SHOOTING LETTERS AT LITTLE ROCK. 3G9 



the fire, until the mosquitoes, and other insects ahnost 

 carried me off piecemeal ; yet without getting a single 

 shot. I never could imagine what had driven the game 

 all away ; perhaps it was too late in the season ; I only 

 know that I lay on the look-out many long, long nights, 

 listening for the tread of a deer, Avatched the moon 

 rise, follow her appointed course, and set behind tlie 

 trees ; hearkened patiently to the hootings of the owls, 

 and the complaint of whip-poor-will, and left the place 

 each succeeding morning, Avithout seeing a single head 

 of game, to seek some cool spot to sleep in, and await 

 the coming night. At last, my provisions being ex- 

 hausted, I was forced to return to Kelfer's for a fresh 

 supply. While there I decided on giving up the fire, 

 and trying daylight again, when I succeeded in killing 

 a few fine deer. One of them was the largest I ever 

 shot. I was going along a mountain-side, and had just 

 fired at and missed a young buck that was standing 

 behind a fallen tree, with nothing but his head visible, 

 when, just as I had reloaded, this splendid fellow 

 showed himself above me, at about fifteen paces dis- 

 tance. My ball knocked him over, and I never saw 

 fatter venison. 



After some time, news arrived from Little Rock, to 

 say that letters were awaiting me there. I was soon 

 ready to start, intending if their contents were favor- 

 able, to embark for the south. My few things were 

 easily packed up, and I now took a warm farewell of 

 Kelfer and his amiable family, from whom it grieved 

 me to part. I had lived in his house like one of his 

 relations, and had never been treated as a stranger; 

 and if I ever had found a home in America, it would 



