Page:A narrative of the life of Solomon Mack.djvu/12

 which cost me a large fum and well nigh took my life. I underwent every thing but death, but thought nothing of the hand that inflicted the chastifement. My family arrived, and we were in the wilderness and could do no business. Previous to this, however, I freighted a vessel and went to New-York, where I sold my cargo extremely high and returning was over- taken by a gale of wind, my vessel was much damaged; but we made shift and got to Long-lsland, and there we left the vessel.

I arrived at home sometime in the winter, poor enough, the vessel did not arrive till the next spring. Afterwards I broke my wrist, with which I had a great deal of pain and expence; for a long time I was unable to do any labour. Though I still fought to make myself great and happy, in the way I was educated, the Lord would not suffer me to prosper. I was not yet discouraged. Soon after I went to Moudus and learnt of my brother-in-law how to make Salt Petre; though being a cripple I went to Oid Springfield and Long Meadows, to show them the art of making Salt Petre. I was sent for from town to town, my wages was one dollar per day; this was in our revolutionary war. I then enlisted into the American army. I soon mustered two teams and carried baggage to Skeenesborough, I afterwards enlisted into a company of artillery for a short Campaign; but on my return home