Part 6 (1/2)
”Well, miss, it may be a panther, but we only know them by the other name.”
Mr. Farquhar then came in, and the question was referred to him; he laughed and told them that painters were a species of panther, not spotted but tawny-colored, and at times very dangerous.
”Do you know the part of the country where we are going to?” said Henry to Super.
”Yes, I have trapped thereabouts for months, but the beavers are scarce now.”
”Are there any other animals there?”
”Yes,” replied Martin, ”small game, as we term it.”
”What sort are they?”
”Why, there's painters, and bears, and catamounts.”
”Mercy on us! do you call that small game? why, what must the large be, then?” said Mrs. Campbell.
”Buffaloes, missus, is what we call big game.”
”But the animals you speak of are not good eating, Super,” said Mrs.
Campbell; ”is there no game that we can eat?”
”Oh, yes, plenty of deer and wild turkey, and bear's good eating, I reckon.”
”Ah! that sounds better.”
After an hour's conversation, Martin Super was dismissed; the whole of the family (except Alfred, who was not at home) very much pleased with what they had seen of him.
A few days after this, Martin Super, who had now entered upon service, and was very busy with Alfred, with whom he had already become a favorite, was sent for by Mr. Campbell, who read over to him the inventory of the articles which they had, and inquired of him if there was any thing else which might be necessary or advisable to take with them.
”You said something about guns,” replied Martin, ”what sort of guns did you mean?”
”We have three fowling-pieces and three muskets, besides pistols.”
”Fowling-pieces,--they are bird-guns, I believe,--no use at all; muskets are soldiers' tools,--no use; pistols are pops, and nothing better. You have no rifles; you can't go into the woods without rifles. I have got mine, but you must have some.”
”Well, I believe you are right, Martin; it never occurred to me. How many ought we to have?”
”Well, that's according--how many be you in family?”
”We are five males and three females.”
”Well, then, sir, say ten rifles; that will be quite sufficient. Two spare ones in case of accident,” replied Martin.
”Why, Martin,” said Mrs. Campbell, ”you do not mean that the children and these young ladies and I are to fire off rifles?”
”I do mean to say, ma'am, that before I was as old as that little boy,”
pointing to John, ”I could hit a mark well; and a woman ought at least to know how to prime and load a rifle, even if she does not fire it herself. It is a deadly weapon, ma'am, and the greatest leveler in creation, for the trigger pulled by a child will settle the business of the stoutest man. I don't mean to say that we may be called to use them in that way, but it's always better to have them, and to let other people know that you have them, and all ready loaded too, if required.”