arrell 16
pound weight Calibre 44. They are mad in Sharps factory Connetticot in
a place called Hartford. If one was sent to me by Wells and Fargoes
express to Deerlodge city Montana Territory, I should get it. The name
or rather the nickname by which I am known among mountain men is Death
Rifle. The redskins I mean the Indians gave me that name many years in
Dacotah Territtory and it stuck to me ever since. My right name is
Hugh De Lacey so when you wish to adress or direct any thing to me
direct to Hugh De Lacey, Deerlodge City, Montana. Miss Greely a great
many eastern men we remarked seem to think that we mountaineers are to
blame for having trouble with the redskins I can assure you we never
bother the infernal vermin only when they bother us and that is pretty
often for when they get a chance to go for our hair they take it no
more at present I remain

"Yours respectfully

"HUGH DE LACEY.

"N.B. I have heard you eastern ladies are in the habit of useing a
deal of false hair in your toilets if you choose miss Greely I will
send you a lot of Indians hair any time you want it. I remain yours
respectfully

"HUGH DE LACEY."

"It reads like a chapter from one of Cooper's novels," said mamma, "and
the romantic name of Hugh De Lacey would be more appropriate to the
handsome young descendant of some old Huguenot refugee family than such
a rough trapper as your correspondent 'Death Rifle;' but the present he
offers you is most singularly inappropriate; no one who had ever seen
your wealth of hair, my child, would think of presenting you with a
chignon;" and as she spoke she loosened and shook out Ida's heavy
clusters of hair, which, released from their orderly Marguerite braids,
swept over her black dress like a tawny mantle.

[1] I insert this and the subsequent letters precisely as they are
written, merely withholding some of the signatures.

CHAPTER XV.

Life in the Woods of Pennsylvania--Journey from Vermont to Pennsylvania
in 1826--Travelling on Canal-boats--Incidents by the Way--Home in the
Wilderness--Aggressions of Bears and Wolves.

_July 14_.

"Aunt Esther, in all the stories of your early days that you have told
us, you have not yet described your life in Pennsylvania," said Ida one
evening, when we were gathered about the piano. "Do tell us about it.
You have once or twice merely alluded to living in the woods, and my
curiosity is quite excited. Were they veritable forests? I