Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/226

 202 HISTORY OP hunter reached forward with his hand, got hold of his ears, and dragged the dead wolf out after him. This beats ^^Old Put/' as he dared not enter a den of wolves without a rope tied to his legs, to pull him out in case of danger ; hut this man relied on his trusty rifle and his own exertions, to extricate himself from all trouble. My informant also relates another incident, which I give in his own language : — " In 1790, there were quite a number of settlers that had located on Rose's Brook, from Connecticut. The names of some of them were Grould, Rollins, Hubble, Jennings, Sturges, Webster, Blish, and the Lyons, the latter of whom, together with Webster, were the mighty hunters of the party. Whether they had acquired this art in their native State, or not, we cannot say, but it is certain that it came very easy for them. The old Mr. Webster would just as soon shoot a good buck, as to eat a good dinner or say his prayers, as the story we are about to relate will illustrate. " At that early period ministers in Delaware county were a rarity, and these Connecticut people were brought up in a strict Sabbath-day keeping ; and before they had stated preach- ing, the inhabitants would meet on Sunday at some central house in the neighborhood, and the deacon of the settlement would read some old sermon they had brought with them. On one occasion they had met for this purpose at Deacon Webster's ; he had read the text, and was proceeding with the sermon, when his black man, by the name of Amos, suddenly appeared at the door, showing his ivory, and addressing his master, the deacon : ' Massa, massa, dar is a fine fat huch in the harn-i/ard, with the cattle ;' The old deacon took down the rifle, (an old chunk rifle,) stepped to the door and raised it to his eye. Bang ! went the rifle, and down went the deer. The deacon told Amos to keep his eye on him a little, and then replaced his rifle and resumed his sermon. But this was not all — old Mrs. Rose happened to be out