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MESHACH BROWNING.
FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF THE LIFE OF A HUNTER; BEING REMINISCENCES OF MESHACH BROWNING A MARYLAND HUNTER, ROUGHLY WRITTEN DOWN BY HIMSELF.
Revised and Illustrated by E. Stabler.PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
1859.Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
INTRODUCTION.
HAVING been in some degree instrumental in introducing the following pages to the public, it may not be improper to inform the reader of the circumstances which led to my connection with their publication.
For several years past, I have been in the habit of visiting the mountainous regions of the States of Maryland and Virginia, as well in search of the picturesque amid some of the wildest and grandest scenery in America, as with a view of recruiting my health, and enjoying a relaxation from engrossing business cares. Some years since, during these visits, I became acquainted with the history of the Author, as an old and very successful hunter in the Alleganies; and many of the incidents here described—as well those connected with social life, as others peculiar to the chase—were listened to with much interest, because narrated by persons familiar with the details, and frequently participants in them.
Supposing that others would enjoy these adventures with equal zest, several messages were sent to the Author, suggesting their compilation and publication; and offering page: iv-v[View Page iv-v] ing, if necessary, to furnish any assistance required in furtherance of the measure.
This led to a personal acquaintance with the Author, which has ripened into strong feelings of regard and attachment for himself, and for many of his numerous descendants, now numbering over one hundred and twenty. More recent visits have resulted in the publication of the narrative—the manuscript having been submitted to me for such emendations and alterations as were deemed necessary; I promising, at the same time, to write an Introduction for the work.
In fulfilling this promise, it may be remarked, that although many of the incidents here given may, to the minds of some, savor of romance, yet no doubt whatever is entertained of their entire truthfulness and reliability. The character of the Author has passed unscathed through a long life; and, though he is now verging on fourscore years, it stands as high, to say the least, as that of any other individual, for integrity, strong intellect, generous feelings, and heroic courage, whether in combatting with savage beasts of prey, or in struggling against the stream of poverty and adversity with which he had to contend, not only in early life, but also for a long series of years.
He is not the man to indulge in fiction, in any manner, or on any occasion. Though uneducated—having had less than six months' tuition, and that when quite a boy—he has filled important and responsible positions in his own county, not only with credit to himself, but with advantage to the public.
There are a few incidents narrated, and expressions occasionally used, which I should omit if the work were intended exclusively for a particular class of readers; but as all classes will probably read it, and find portions suited to their tastes, the selection is left to the general reader, and these phrases and incidents are retained as furnished by the Author.
Few persons, it is believed, can fail to find something in the volume to interest them; as there are occasional touches of genuine humor, details of affecting incidents, and evidences of enduring energy and perseverance, conjoined with the most undaunted firmness, that seemed to know no fear in a hand-to-hand conflict with savage beasts of prey—in fact, even bearding the bear in his den.
Meshach Browning's life may be deemed an eventful one, considering the almost constant risks he ran of losing it in his many dangerous conflicts with bears, panthers, wolves, and wounded bucks; for the latter are scarcely less to be feared than the former, as their sharp horns, and keen, cutting hoofs, are wielded with as much strength and skill, both in attack and defence, as are the teeth and claws of the beasts of prey.
It is impossible to state with accuracy how many of the denizens of the forest have fallen victims to his unerring rifle and deadly hunting-knife; for he hunted regularly during forty-four years, and thus the greater portion of that time supplied his family, besides occasionally selling large quantities of venison and bear-meat. Comparatively but few of his many hunting scenes are here referred to; but he stated to me that, from the best estimate he could make, and from data considered reliable, he had killed from page: vi-vii[View Page vi-vii] eighteen hundred to two thousand deer, from three to four hundred bears, about fifty panthers and catamounts(quite as ferocious, and not much less in size than the panther), with scores of wolves and wildcats. And although now incapable, owing to age and infirmities, of pursuing the game with his wonted vigor, the "ruling passion" is still strong; for within the past few weeks his skill and perseverance have been rewarded by the capture, in his traps, of an otter and a catamount, of the few now surviving his former achievements.
My task, though a "labor of love," is comparatively a very humble one, and has been mainly confined to the correction of grammatical errors; for I desired as much as possible, to preserve the easy and rather peculiar style of the Author, as it came from his own sturdy and unpractised pen, because so plain and intelligible that he who runs may read: figuratively speaking, merely lopping out the weeds and bushes which tend to obstruct the view over a landscape, glowing and radiant with native beauties.
The incidents of social and domestic life are drawn so true to nature, and brought out so vividly to view, that the reader, though even a child, can readily trace out the full picture by the mere outline. From this cause his stories are not only never without interest, but often touch the feelings and enlist our sympathies before we are fully aware of it; and thus it is that "truth is sometimes stranger than fiction."
His is the best and most captivating narrative of hunting scenes that I ever read, because free from all attempts at display, and devoid of egotism. The abrupt, nay even rude style, as it may appear to some, seems to be exactly suited to the subject—as "an abrupt and plain style sometimes bears thoughts quickest to the seat of judgment"—and so readily comprehended by all, that the reader follows his game, feeling all the excitement of the chase and the energy of a Nimrod, without incurring either danger or fatigue.
After the revision of the manuscript, I placed it for perusal in the hands of a friend (himself, in early life, a successful hunter in Kentucky, and also personally known to the author), on whose judgment, in matters of taste or opinion, I strongly rely, requesting him to review the work. His opinion is appended:
page: viii-ix[View Page viii-ix]SILVER SPRINGS, March 2d, 1859. FRIEND STABLER
The perusal of the manuscript memoir of the old Hunter who began his career more than half a century ago—and who now, on the verge of 80, is preparing for another bear campaign, gave me delight instead of labor. I advise its publication, just as given with his own sturdy pen, barely correcting the grammatical errors with which it abounds. Indeed, these mistakes give such proof of the difficulty with which, as an author, this man of the wilderness had to contend, and they are so thoroughly redeemed by the good sense, good feeling, the rustic humor of the narrator, and the interest of his story, that I would prefer to let these blemishes stand, but that this age of universal scholarship is so fastidious about correct spelling and making verbs and their nominatives agree. As a striking picture of the trying life which creates the character of an American backwoodsman, the face of the autograph and the peculiar phraseology (giving evidence throughout of a struggle with literature, yet making it subservient by the power of intellect), has somewhat the effect of the harsh Scotch dialect in giving force to expression in our language. When our race of hardy pioneers is gone, I think this original work of the
Bear Hunter's penmanship would have a value that should preserve it in some public museum. "The short and simple annals of the poor" were never better told, nor the difficulties and dangers which beset them in struggling into civilization in the midst of a wilderness, were never more graphically portrayed than in this black-letter manuscript.
If the public could make the acquaintance of Mr. Browning, as we did, in the midst of the mountain region in which he has lived from youth to age, it would add such a charm to his memoir, that I am sure it would be universally read. Found in the midst of a community which had risen around him in the course of three-quarters of a century, he was still the prominent figure among a host of strong-minded, stalwart mountaineers, among whom his own progeny, numbering more than an hundred intelligent, athletic men, and beautiful women, were conspicuous. In this region, so prolific of strong-minded and able bodied men, old Mr. Browning, the son of the subaltern English soldier who escaped from Braddock's battle, and nestled in the neighborhood below the Alleganies, still holds preeminence, and yet he seems insensible of it.
He is the hero of every man's conversation in his mountain republic, but never of his own; and although he embodies in his own life time all its history, he makes a modest cital of himself in connection with it. Like old Nestor among the younger Greek chiefs, who all are willing to defer to his experience, wisdom, and eloquence, he chooses to defer to them in importance; and is, even in "narrative old age," the most striking instance of modest courtesy in waiving its privileges I have ever known. His own adventures as a hunter are often called out from him in social circles to renew the interest of early savage scenes which civilized life is now rendering tame; and no one has a happier vein in talk to give a living image to the eye.
It is the enjoyment derived by his neighbors from this faculty, and the knowledge of his probity and truth, that induced them to urge the attempt of perpetuating the story of his life in print. If it had been taken from HIS LIPS by a practised writer, his memoir might have had much greater attraction than as now given by his untaught laboring pen, which arrests the happy flow of recital; but even as it is, the public will find the impress of genius, of truth, of good feeling and happy humor, however veiled in the medium of conveyance, to recommend the work of this illiterate man.
Sincerely your friend,F. P. BLAIR.
During a more recent visit to the mountains, I met with my friend Judge Thomas Perry, of the Fourth Judicial District of this State—a gentleman not more widely known than he is universally esteemed and respected. Long personally acquainted with the author, and familiar with the recital of many of the startling scenes narrated by him, the judge promptly and most cheerfully offered to reply in writing to any queries I might propound to him—he being then engaged on the Bench. I am well aware that no letter or certificate will add to the fair fame of the author where he is known; but it is inserted as the free will offering of the writer, and with the kindest motives for the benefit of an old and valued friend.
CUMBERLAND, MD., March 7, 1859. DEAR SIR:
Your note of this day has been received, and I with pleasure reply to your inquiries. I have been acquainted with Meshach Browning from my infancy, and I have never known of anything to impair his character.
I have the greatest confidence in his veracity, and you can rely upon any statement he has made, or may make. In this community, where he is well known, no one doubts the truth of the many interesting incidents narrated by him.
Respectfully yours,THOMAS PERRY.
TO EDWARD STABLER, ESQ.
This letter, comprehensive and complete within itself, is all that appears necessary to perfect the "Introduction."
page: x-xi (Table of Contents) [View Page x-xi (Table of Contents) ]To live far beyond the usual period allotted to man—"three score years and ten"—and receive the commendation, "I have never known of anything to impair his character," is a legacy which should be more highly prized by the descendants of an author, or indeed of any one, than silver and gold.
EDWARD STABLER.
HAREWOOD, MD., 1859.NOTE.—After the work was in press, the following unsolicited letter was received from a prominent citizen of Allegany county—viz.:
ACCIDENT, ALLEGANY COUNTY, MD., March 30, 1859. E. STABLER, ESQ.
DEAR SIR:—I have seen in the public prints, sketches of the life and adventures of Meshach Browning, for forty-four years a hunter in the Allegany Mountains: and understand that you are about to have his memoir printed, and published in book form. I beg leave to say to you, and to the public, that I have been personally acquainted with Mr. Browning for twenty-five years, and know him to be a man of sterling integrity; and that he is entitled to receive at the hands of the public full credit for every word that he has written.
This work is the narration of facts as they occurred; and having spent a great portion of his life in camps, erected in the wilderness for the purpose of hunting, many things may appear strange, and almost miraculous, to those who are not acquainted with a hunter's life; yet they are nevertheless true, and can be vouched for. Mr. Browning was among the first settlers here, and is one of Nature's noblest works.
Impatiently waiting the publication of this work,
I am, dear sir, yours very truly,RICHARD FAIRALL.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
- CHAPTER I. Birth and Parentage—Difficulties of his widowed Mother—Moves to the West—Accident on the Road—Settles on Flintstone—Induced by an Aunt, John Spurgin's wife, to leave the maternal roof—Removes to Allegany County, and settles in a small Cabin—Great abundance of Game—Again removes, with his Uncle, to Monongahela County, Virginia—Then again back to the "Blooming Rose"—Becomes acquainted with Mary McMullen, his future Wife—Goes one quarter to School, being all his Education—Falls in love with Mary—Goes to see her at night, and the old man, her Father, sets the Dog on him, supposing him to be a prowling Wolf—Ludicrous scene in escaping—Aunt has an Heir, after twenty years' marriage, and treats the Author unkindly—First success in Deer-Hunting—Aunt, in an ill-humor, strikes him with a heavy wooden Shovel—Leaves his Uncle and Aunt—Goes Hunting again, and kills a fine Buck, but gets his Feet nearly Frozen—Takes leave of his Betrothed—Both much affected. 13
- CHAPTER II. Starts for Wheeling, and reaches his Uncle James Spurgin's—Good Advice by Uncle, suited to all Young Men—Determines to be guided by it—Continues his Journey—Reaches Union Town—Meets with his Grandfather, and also his Mother—Affecting Interview—Relates the bad usage of his Aunt—Spends a week there—Meets with General Biggs—Good Rifle-shooting—The General wishes him to go to Ohio—Declines going—Reaches Wheeling, and is hired by John Caldwell—Gets acquainted with Daughter Nancy—His first Bear Hunt—Nancy describes an Indian Attack—Old Lady does not treat him kindly—Stays four months—Leaves, to the regret of the family—Misfortunes of Caldwell's family. 34
- CHAPTER III. Returns to his Mother's—Is employed by Mr. Foot, at a dollar a day, to shoot Squirrels in his Corn field—Shoots nine days, killing hundreds—Goes to see his Betrothed at "Blooming Rose"—Interesting meeting—Engagement, but to wait until older—Has a hunt and Trout-fishing with Uncle Spurgin—Good success— page: xii-xiii (Table of Contents) [View Page xii-xiii (Table of Contents) ] Meets Mary at Uncle's—Accompanies her nearly home, with a dozen fine Trout and some Venison—Fear of her Father—Removed near the McMullens—Goes Hunting, and kills a Panther, measuring eleven feet three inches—Marries Mary at eighteen, in the year 1799—Roughly treated by her Father—Actually turned out of doors—Mary's noble conduct and Christian spirit—Affecting Incidents—Poverty in setting out in life—Succeeds in shooting a Wild Turkey and trapping a Bear, their first Meat. 67
- CHAPTER IV. Sells his Rifle to procure a Cow—Procures another, and takes a Bear Hunt—Kills one after a desperate Fight, and stabbing him several times—Author and Mary go for Chestnuts—Dogs start a Bear—Whipped by Dogs, and is shot in a Tree—Hunting for a Colt, finds a very large Bear Track—Pursues him and kills him—Another Hunt—Kills a fine Bear after an exciting Chase—Kills a large Buck—Another Hunt, and kills two Bucks—Takes a Hunt on Negro Mountain—Kills a small Buck and a Bear—Hunting Season ended—In February took the Dogs to have a Fox Chase—Finds a Wolf Track—Pursues and kills him—Scalp worth eight dollars premium—False Claimant for his little Property—But, fearing a law-suit, gives it up—Removes to the Glades—Settles in an old Cabin, partly torn down by Hunters—Finds a Rattlesnake in the House—Another found near the House—Mary goes for Water to the Spring, and starts five Wolves—Beautiful Appearance of the Glades—Watches a Deer lick—But kills a Bear—Repairs Cabin—Mary and Sister Jane go Trout fishing—Kills a Bear on the Way—Serious Accident—Col. John Lynn—His noble Character—Wm. Hoye and James Drane, kind neighbors—Goes Hunting and kills two Deer before Breakfast—Hunts again, and is lost in the Woods—Made a fire, and laid between two Logs—Snowing and hailing all Night—Kills a Bear next morning—Joke about a deviled Turkey—Starts for Camp to hunt—Kills a Bear, but had to sleep in the Woods—Hunts with Hugh McMullen—Dogs tree a Bear—Comes down the Tree, and is killed with the Knife while fighting the Dogs—One of the Dogs crippled—Kills nine Wild Turkeys in an hour or two—Finds Game in the Rocks, supposed a Bear—Sends Dog in the Den, and out bounds a Panther—Threatens an attack, but is killed—Next day kills a fine Buck—Goes after Coons, but starts a Bear and kills him—Ran a Bear near to Col. Lynn's, and killed him in presence of Gen. Lee, a Revolutionary Officer—Kills a Buck asleep—Mode of packing Bear on a Horse—Desperate Fight with Bear and Cubs—Killed two—Same Hunt killed two more—Wolf kills a Heifer—Kills the Wolf—Scalp and Skin worth two Calves—Kills a Bear on a Hog—Hunts on a Wager—Killed three Bears, one Buck, and two Turkeys. 89
- CHAPTER V. Desperate Fight with a Bear in a Den—Kills him—Measures six inches of clear Fat—Dog badly wounded—Went after Turkeys, but killed a Bear—Van Sickle's ludicrous Turkey Race—Kills an old Bear and three Cubs—Kills another Bear on a Hog, in sight of his Cabin—Sells his Property to Dr. Brooke, and loses nearly all—Mary's firmness and decision of Character—Family nearly broken up—Buys some Powder and Lead on Credit—He desponds, but goes to the Woods—Kills three Bears in about four hours. 141
- CHAPTER VI. Visits the Camp—Exciting time with Wolves—Kills one—Kills a Bear at the Hole—Buys fifty acres of Land, all in Forest—In the mean time, Parents and four Children live in a House ten by twelve feet—Makes Sugar from the Maple—Mary has a Paralytic Stroke—Gloomy prospect—House to build, Ground to be cleared, and Mary's case pronounced hopeless—Colonel Lynn calls to see him—Through his kind aid, Mary is restored to Health—Noble act of Generosity by Colonel Lynn to an Enemy—Sets a Bear-Trap—Soon catches two bears—Has a severe attack of Rheumatism, lasting three months—On recovering, sets off after a very large Bear—After a desperate Fight, kills him—Has to camp out—Finds a Bear in the Rocks—Smokes him out, and kills him—Hunts with four Hunters in the Glades—Makes a Bet to kill two Deer—Decoys a Deer—Kills five Deer, and wins the Bet. 154
- CHAPTER VII. Hunts with John and Charles Friend in the Glades—Finds a Bear in a Den—Author enters the Den with Candle and Rifle—Tries to coax him out—Goes in again, and shoots him—Returns a third time into the Den, and kills him with another shot in the Head—Finds another Bear in a Hole or Den—Enters with Candle and Rifle—Shoots, and wounds the Bear—Sets his own Hair on Fire—Returns into the Den, fires again, and kills the Bear—Remarks on the Danger—Has another attack of Rheumatism, which lasts three months—War with England in 1812—Drafted as Sergeant—Thrown into the Ranks, and refuses to go—Reflections on following bad Counsels—Captain's Commission sent to him—Visits Selby's-Port—Is attacked by a Crowd, and has a desperate Fight—Is nearly killed, but comes off victorious—Hunts again—In a week, kills four Deer and two Bears—Visits Ohio, to view the Country—Returns, and buys more Land—Has another long attack of Rheumatism—Recovers, and begins Hunting—Takes a load of Venison and Bear-meat to Baltimore—Meets with his Brother Jeremiah at Newmarket, whom he had not seen for thirty years—Clears $300 by the trip—Builds a Mill. 174
- CHAPTER VIII. Takes up Land—Difficulty about Titles—Hunts on Meadow Mountain for Bears—Kills two Bears and a Panther—Exciting Fight with a Bear—Finds a Deer killed by a Panther—Pursues, and, after a long chase, kills him, in the act of springing on the Hunters—Eating Opossum for Duck—Takes a Hunt with two Companions—Breaks his Rifle, but kills a Bear and a Buck with the broken Gun—Sends the Meat home—Finds Tracks of four Bears—Kills three of them—Four Friends page: xiv-xv (Table of Contents) [View Page xiv-xv (Table of Contents) ] come to hunt—Off to the Woods—Pair off, leaving Author to hunt alone—They select their own Ground—Author finds Bears playing—Kills two, hunts on, and kills three more; making five Bears in about three hours—The Company stay three days longer—Kill no Bears, and but little other Game. 205
- CHAPTER IX. Goes to Meadow Mountain, with his son William, to hunt Bears—Chases an enormous Bear—Outruns the Dogs, and gets off—Finds another, and, to walk without noise, takes to the Water—Bear comes within five steps, when he kills him—A week later, hunts on the same Ground—Wounds a large Bear—Desperate Fight with Bear and Dogs—Has to stab him seven times to save the Dog's life—Bear strikes as he runs to stab him, catches his Pants, and pitches him Heels over Head—Courage of Dog when nearly killed—Continues the Hunt, and kills another Bear and a Wild Turkey—Camps in the Woods—Goes to the Green Glades to make hay and hunt—Mode of Glade hunting—Feeding Stock in Glades—Bear-fight with lame Dog—Fight between two Panthers in a Laurel-swamp—Sets a Trap for Wolves, and catches a Bear—Fight with him, and kills him by stabbing—Picking Chestnuts under the same Tree with a full-grown Bear—Kills him—On the way home, kills another Bear and a fine Buck—In the Spring, hunts for Bears—Finds an old Bear and two Cubs—After a hard Fight, kills them all—Enlow meets him at Camp—Hunt next morning—Sees an old Bear playing—Waits to see the Fun, then shoots—Bear has a hard Fight with the Dogs—Difficulty in building a Barn—Hunts at Little Crossings—Kills three Deer—Camps in the Woods—At night a Wolf Comes to Camp—Kills him in the morning—Catches three Bears at one fall of a Trap—Kills a fine Buck the same morning—Hunts with George Riley—Sees four Deer, and kills them all—Next day, a fine hunting Snow—Kills six Deer—Goes out, and kills two Deer before Breakfast—Desperate Fight with a wounded Buck in Yough. River. 223
- CHAPTER X. Hunts with Daniel McHenry—In going, kills a Deer and three Bears—Uses Dupont's Cannister-Powder—Rifle nearly kicks him over—Camps in the Snow—Fine Supper of roasted Bear-meat—McHenry's Death—Goes to North Branch with his Son, John Lynn, to hunt and also examine the Ground—Camps in thick Laurel—Catastrophe—Dwelling consumed and two Grandchildren burned to death—Again visits the Potomac, with his two sons, John Lynn and James Browning—Gets lost in the Woods—Rough time—Has to camp out in Rain and Snow—Hair sticks fast to the Pitch or Turpentine—Uncomfortable fix—Fasts three days—Is Found by the Boys, and leaves for Home—Hunts with Enlow—Kills one Deer—Dangerous Ford over the River—Hunts on Cherry-Tree Meadow—Finds a Panther's Track going into the Laurel—Treed by a Dog—Kills it—Finds the Ball in the Panther's Scalp—Beats it round, and kills a large Buck with the same Ball, having no others. 254
- CHAPTER XI. Sets a Steel-trap for Wolves—Catches a Panther in it—Panther fights the Dogs—Finds other Tracks in the Snow—Pursues and kills two more—Finds another Panther's Track—Pursues it many miles, when he trees him—Shoots, and wounds him—Most desperate Fight between Hunter, Dog, and Panther—Dog loses an Eye—Another Panther-chase—Follows him from thirty-five to forty miles before killing him—Returning Home, finds a Panther's Track—Follows it into the Laurels—Cunning of the Panther to elude pursuit—Treed by the Dog—Shoots, and wounds him—Hard Fight between the Dog and Panther—Is Killed by another shot—Hunts again on the Potomac, with Hugh McMullen—Kills three Deer, and camps in the Snow—Feet frozen—Returns to "Milk and Honey," and hunts eight days—Kills thirteen Deer and a Catamount—Exciting Bear-fight, and Mr. Wable—His great Fright. 273
- CHAPTER XII. Finds an old Bear and Cubs in the Trap—Shoots her and one Cub—Takes two Cubs home—Their Docility—Raises one, the other escapes—Mary sends the Author to Hunt—Kills five Deer in an afternoon—Parts with his Rifle—No success with his new Gun—Hunts a week, and only kills two Deer—Reflections on outside Appearances—Gets the Rifle in order—Two Bucks fighting—Kills one—Hunts with his son William—Kills three Deer—Dog-fight—Goes to the Glades with two boys to feed the Stock—Very Cold, and Snow on the ground—In two days, kills eight deer—Next day, kills two Deer, and has a shot at a Wolf—Did not get him—Enlow's Hunt—Kills a wounded Bear with his Knife—Kills several Deer—They hunt at Cherry-Tree Meadow—Kills a Bear with the Knife, after two shots and hard fighting—Catches a Wolf in a Trap—Kills an old Bear and two Cubs—Makes a Deer Park—Catches a number of Deer in the deep Snow, and puts them in the Park—Mode of catching them—Has a desperate Fight with large Buck. 299
- CHAPTER XIII. In 1836, hunts with his two sons, William and John Lynn, on Meadow Mountain—Kills a Buck, and finds two Bears in the Trap—Next week, Hunts on the same Ground—Kills a number of Deer—Races with William in Hunting—Kills twenty Deer in one week—Visits Uncle Spurgin, in Preston County, Virginia, to kill some large Bucks, which he could not—Kills two of them in a couple of hours—Hunts on Roman Nose—Encounters a large Bear—Wounds him—Dangerous situation—Kills an old Buck, that had baffled all the Hunters—Two Friends come to Hunt—Kills an old Bear and two Cubs—Hunts on Negro Mountain—Kills three fine Bucks within a few steps of each other—Pumpkins and Cream—Hunts at Little Crossings—Kills six deer—Long Chase after the largest—Visits the same Ground, and kills another Buck—Mrs. Cunningham and the Bee-tree—Amusements of the young people—Cold weather—Goes to the Traps—Finds a page: xvi (Table of Contents) -xvii (List of Illustrations) [View Page xvi (Table of Contents) -xvii (List of Illustrations) ] large Bear in a Trap, killed by another Bear after a desperate battle—Hunts on Deep Creek—Kills two Deer—Goes to Little Crossings—Kills a Buck—Packs the Saddle with the Turkeys killed on the way—Travels some ten to twelve miles—Load weighs eighty-seven pounds—Hunts at "Milk and Honey" with two neighbors—Kills three Deer—Abandons the hunt, on account of Rattlesnakes there. 319
- CHAPTER XIV. Mary thrown from a Horse—Seriously injured—Causes her Death—Distress and despondency—Time assuages grief—After months, goes to the Hunting-Grounds as a relief, and to procure Meat—Kills a large Bear, hand to hand, with the Knife—Kills two Deer—Is appointed Assessor for Allegany County—Meets with Mrs. Smith, a Widow—After long delay, and great opposition, marries her—She proves a good and affectionate Wife—Watches a Deer-Lick with his Son—Kills two Deer—Hunts Wolves—Kills six—Scalps worth $105—Watches another Lick with his Son, M. A. Browning—Buck-Ague—Kills a Deer—Last Deer killed by the Author—Wife stricken with Palsy—Survives until September, 1857. 342
- CHAPTER XV. Describes the Glades—Herding, and bad effects on Grass and Game—Early Settlers—Mode of living—Hospitality of the Hunters—Voting—Story of Mr. Steward—Describes the wild Animals of the Mountains—Bears, Wolves, and Panthers—Rattlesnakes—Can charm Birds—Horse bitten by one—Dies in great agony—Are killed by their own Bite—Experiment with one—One skipped alive—Attacks a Rattlesnake on Yough. River—It fights on Water as well as on Land—Hangs one—Kills eighty-four at a Den—Their Fangs and Poison—Remedies for the Bite—Mode of training Hunting-Dogs—Trout-Fishing, Baits, etc. 361
- CHAPTER XVI. Mode of trapping Bears, Wolves, Panthers, and Otters—Describes a Bear-trap, or Pen—Shooting Deer by Fire-Light—Shooting Deer at a Lick—Making an artificial Lick—Natural History of the Deer—A general Description of Allegany County—The Mountains—Rivers—Soil—Productions—Climate—Timber—Coal—Iron-ore—Water-power. 387
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PLATES.
- FRONTISPIECE. FACING PAGE 1
- MY FIRST BEAR FIGHT. FACING PAGE 55
- BEAR TRAP. FACING PAGE 86
- GLADE CABIN. FACING PAGE 103
- TURKEY RACE. FACING PAGE 144
- SHOOTING AN ENORMOUS BEAR. FACING PAGE 150
- SHOOTING DEER BY FIRE LIGHT. FACING PAGE 210
- DESPERATE ENCOUNTER WITH A BEAR. FACING PAGE 226
- FIGHT WITH A BUCK IN YOUGH. RIVER. FACING PAGE 252
- TREEING AND SHOOTING A PANTHER. FACING PAGE 278
- BEAR LISTENING—AND TWO CUBS. FACING PAGE 329
- HUNTERS' CAMP ON MEADOW MOUNTAIN. FACING PAGE 387
ENGRAVINGS.
- PIONEER AND INDIAN. PAGE 59
- HUNTING WILD TURKEYS. PAGE 122
- BEAR. PAGE 153
- WILD TURKEY. PAGE 164
- BEAR DOG. PAGE 212
- DOGS FRANTIC FOR A BEAR FIGHT. PAGE 239
- SINGING OF BIRDS. PAGE 224
- BEAR. PAGE 368
- PANTHER. PAGE 370
- RATTLE-SNAKE. PAGE 373
- WOLF. PAGE 379
- TRAINING HUNTING DOGS. PAGE 384
- TROUT. PAGE 385
