Fourty-Four Years, or, the Life of a Hunter. Meshach Browning
On my way I had to pass Mr. McMullen's house, but I did not see Mary, because I only passed by the barn, where the little boys and a young man were dressing flax, and, their day's work being done, the young man went home with me. When I arrived, my uncle was away from home, and my aunt, as usual, being in a very ill humor, would not speak to me. It was after dark, and I was tired and hungry. At last she said :
"Do you think of getting your supper here to-night?"
"I hope so," I replied.
"Well you will miss it if you do," she answered.
At this time her little daughter had a low stool, one of the legs of which was loose, and often dropped out. I went to sit down on it, when, the leg coming out, I fell back and struck my head against the jam, and hurt myself. Thinking to myself that I would burn that worthless leg and put in a better one, I threw it into the fire; but when the child saw the leg in the flames, she screamed with all her strength. I then pulled it out again without being burned, and gave it to her; but as the little creature had been petted and spoiled, she came slyly to me and struck me in the face with it, when the blood flew out of my nose in an instant. I immediately slapped her on the head, and the next minute was sorry that I had done it. As aunt had seen me strike the child, she took a heavy wooden shovel and made a blow at my head; but luckily it struck me flatway and broke to splinters. I recovered from the blow, and shut my fist to knock her down; but Providence sent the young man to save me from the disgrace of strik- ing a woman—an act which I have ever since kept clear of. I then told old aunty that it would be the last blow
28 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF
she would give me; and it was so; for from that time, being determined to stay no longer with them, 1 began to think of going to the West. Bat the tug was to leave my little Mary, who was then growing into womanhood very fast.
After a struggle of two or three weeks, I came to the conclusion that Mary McMullen could not leave her home to go with one who had not a dollar, and that she and I were altogether too young to marry. Yet I determined to see her, and let her know my whole intention. Accord- ingly, the old man being from home, I spent one sweet evening in social chat, and told her all I intended to do. She tried to keep a firm countenance, but I saw clearly that she felt as much at heart as I did; for when I took her hand, perhaps for a last farewell, I saw her soft, rising bosom swell with emotion, as she said, " Good-bye, Me- shach; I wish you good luck, and a safe and speedy re- turn;" for I had told her that, could I make money to keep me along right well, I would come back, some time or other, to see all my friends again. So saying, we parted for that night, with the promise to see each other again before I ook my leave of her and all my other acquaint- ances in Allegany. I staid all night, as I was assured the old gentleman would not return during that time. I slept but little, thinking of my adventurous undertaking. The next morning, at breakfast, the day of my departure was spoken of, when I named the second day after ; which was objected to by Mary, because it was Friday, and was said to be an unlucky day to commence any important business. She said she thought my leaving my native re- sidence to go into a strange country was of the highest importance; and I imagined I could see in her counte- nance strong emotions of the heart—for she very soon left the table and went into the kitchen. I made a light break- fast, too; and when Mary returned it was agreed that the
A HUNTER'S LIFE. 29
following Thursday should be the day when I would leave Allegany; which allowed me six days to bid farewell to all my friends.
I then left this much esteemed family, intending to visit some other playmates and acquaintances. A friend pro- posed a deer-hunt, there being a fine tracking snow on the ground, to which I readily agreed, and off we went with dog and gun. After traveling a long time, in the evening we found a large buck. Having but one gun, and that being mine, I took aim, let drive, and off went the buck. We went to where he had stood when I had shot at him, and, from the hair and blood he left in his tracks, we saw he was wounded, and pursued him with rapid steps; for night was coming on We soon found him, for the poor fellow had lain down from excessive pain and loss of blood. As he made off again, we set on our dog, who was trem- bling with eagerness for the chase. Off went Gunner, for that was the dog's name, and we soon heard him at full bay. Who should be up first was then the question to be decided. Jump and jump we went, side by side, till my strength and long wind prevailed, and I ran up first. But in running through the bushes, some snow having fallen on the lock of my gun, wet the powder, and it would not fire. Here we were, with no means of helping poor Gun- ner, or of keeping him from being injured by the buck's sharp horns. At length, while the faithful dog was hold- ing the buck by the nose, I drew my hunting-knife from my belt and made a desperate pitch at the heart of the infuriated beast, which laid him out dead in the creek, where he had expected to be able to defend himself in the water.
My friend and myself were both wet to the knees, and the evening being very cold, it became necessary for us, a.s soon as possible, to make for the nearest house. With all possible haste we skinned the buck and secured the
3*
30 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF
meat, when we started for the place of safety, which was about four miles. On we strode, with long steps, made in as quick succession as possible, until my friend began to complain that his feet were freezing. He swore they would be frozen oft' to his ancles before we could reach any house. I found mine were freezing too, and I waded all the little streams we crossed; but he would not go into any water, for he said he had been in too much already; so on we went, until we came to the house we had aimed for. As soon as the man of the house saw our condition, he brought some fresh spring-water, and put our feet and legs in it for at least an hour, when the frost was drawn out.
We lodged there that night, and found next morning that our feet were swelled and very sore; but from my frequently wetting mine in the little streams, they were not so much injured as his were.
From this time, I visited all my friends, and got ready for my journey west. The night before the appointed Thursday I was bent on spending, at any rate, within sight of little Mary. I determined to commence talk- ing with her in the presence of the whole family. Accord- ingly, I went to the house, and spoke to the old man as respectfully as I knew how; and in a little while he said to me, in a friendly tone. "So, Meshach, you are going to leave us, I heard.
"Yes, sir," was my answer.
"How long do you intend staving ? "
"Perhaps I shall no' return for years, and it may be that I may not come at all."
"Ah! when you get among strangers, you will soon be homesick, and back you will come."
"Well, Mr. McMullen, this is not impossible; but, sir, I assure" you 1 do not think Allegany county will see me soon again."
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I said this in this in the presence of Mary, whom I had pro- mised that I should return again some time or other. I did not mean exactly what I said; but I knew it was what he wished for, and, that in hopes of this being; the last visit I would pay to his house, he would not object to my having a last talk with Mary.
While I talked to the old man, I saw that Mary listened with attention, and I knew what she had in her mind about what I had told her. I watched the old man closely, and presently he began to ask questions of the boys about the horses and the stable, when he took his hat and went out to the barn. This was my time: I whispered to Mary, and informed her I had told her father such a tale, and that I did it in hopes the old man would not be so bad as to prevent me from having an evening talk with her, which I had much desired since I saw her last. I asked her if she would venture to undertake it in the presence of her father? After a little hesitation, she said she could only try it, and if he cut any capers, I must stop short, and wait till another opportunity to see her. This being agreed on, I went to the barn, and helped to feed the stock. It was quite night, dark, and very cold. Well, thought I, let what may come, I will try my luck. So, when I thought the right time had come, with trembling limbs and beating heart, I drew up my chair