Fourty-Four Years, or, the Life of a Hunter. Meshach Browning
within ten steps of me, up rose the head and shoulders of the largest panther that I ever saw, either before or since. He kept behind a large log that was near me, and looked over. But though I had never seen a wild one before, I knew the gentleman, and was rather afraid of him. I aimed my rifle at him as well as I could, he looking me full in the face; and when I fired he made a tremendous spring from me, and ran off through the brush and briers, with the dog after him.
As soon as I recovered a little from my fright, I loaded again, and started after them. I followed them as fast as I could, and soon found them at the foot of a large and very high rock; the panther, in his hurry, having sprung down the cleft of rock fifteen or twenty feet; but the dog, being afraid to venture so great a leap, ran round, and the two had met in a thick laurel swamp, where they were fighting the best way they could, each trying to get the advantage of the other. I stood on the top of the rock over them, and fired at the base of the panther's ear, when down he went; and I ran round the rock, with my toma- hawk in hand, believing him to be dead. But when I got near him, I found he was up and fighting again, and con- sequently I had to hurry back for my gun, load it again, creep slyly up, take aim at his ear, as before, and give him another shot, which laid him dead on the ground. My first shot had broken his shoulder; the second pierced his ear, passing downward through his tongue; the last
A HUNTER'S LIFE. 78
entered one ear, and came out at the other, scattering hit brains all around. He measured eleven feet three inches from the end of his nose to the tip of his tail. This was the largest panther I ever killed, and I suppose I have killed at least fifty in my time.
I took from this fellow sixteen and a half pounds of rendered tallow. It is something softer than mutton tal- low, but by mixing it with one-fourth of its weight of beeswax, it makes good candles. I continued hunting the balance of the season, with little success—not killing any bears, although there were great numbers of them in the woods. However, I knew but little of the art of hunting.
I continued with great glee to partake of all the pas- times, attending the dances, shooting matches, etc.; and courting Mary occasionally, till our love was so confirmed, that we were never so well pleased in any other company but that of ourselves. In the year 1799, we being each then in our eighteenth year, by the advice of both our mothers, we agreed to put an end, by marriage, to a courtship of five or six years' continuance; and, accord- ingly, the last day of April was fixed on for our wedding.
As the day began to draw near, the old folks had to be consulted; but when I called on Mary's father, I told him that I had but few words to say to him, having only to tell him that I had been a long time in love with his daughter Mary, and that I knew she loved me also; that we had determined that nothing but death should part us ; and that, if he would please to give me his consent, I should be very glad; but that, as for me to live without her, was out of the question. I also said: "Some man will marry her, one day or other; and I have determined that, at the risk of my life, no man shall ever have her but myself. "
The old man kept quiet till I had done, when he said: "You have had this matter all arranged among your-
80 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF
selves, and I shall not meddle with it now. You may take her as soon as you please." But he was very angry.
I thanked him, and was going to apologise to him for not being more open and above-board in courting his daughter; but he refused to hear any excuses, and left the house. Though much mortified at such treatment, I felt that I would be satisfied if he only kept his word, and did not forbid her to comply with her promise; for she had al- ways told me she would not marry against the will of her parents, and I had but little hope of getting the old man's consent.
However, there was no time to be lost, as I wished lo see my brother Joshua, who had once been in company with myself and Mary at a party; where, having seen that I was fond of her, he said to me, "Brother, you may love that girl as much as you please; but don't think of matrimony."
I told him that thoughts flew into people's heads very quickly, and sometimes continued uncontrollable.
"Yes, yes," said he; "and if that is your case now, you are a gone coon. She is a beauty, it is true; but you are both only children yet, and should not think of mar- rying till you are twenty-one at least."
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