en of these
ferocious monsters. Their flesh was regarded as a great delicacy. And
their shaggy skins were invaluable in the cabin for beds and bedding.
He also shot deer in great abundance. The smaller game he took, of fat
turkeys, partridges, pigeons, etc., he did not deem worth enumerating.

It was a very lazy, lounging, indolent life. Crockett could any morning
go into the woods and shoot a deer. He would bring all the desirable
parts of it home upon his shoulders, or he would take his pack-horse
out with him for that purpose. At their glowing fire, outside of the
cabin if the weather were pleasant, inside if it rained, they would
cook the tender steaks. They had meal for corn bread; and it will also
be remembered that they had sugar, and ten gallons of whiskey.

The deerskins were easily tanned into soft and pliant leather. They all
knew how to cut these skins, and with tough sinews to sew them into
hunting-shirts, moccasins, and other needed garments. Sitting
Indian-fashion on mattresses or cushions of bearskin, with just enough
to do gently to interest the mind, with no anxiety or thought even
about the future, they would loiter listlessly through the long hours
of the summer days.

Occasionally two or three Indians, on a hunting excursion, would visit
the cabin. These Indians were invariably friendly. Crockett had no more
apprehension that they would trouble him than he had that the elk or
the deer would make a midnight attack upon his cabin. Not unfrequently
they would have a visit from Mr. Owen's household; or they would all go
up to his hut for a carouse. Two or three times, during the summer,
small parties exploring the country came along, and would rest a day or
two under Crockett's hospitable roof. Thus with these men, with their
peculiar habits and tastes, the summer probably passed away as
pleasantly as with most people in this world of care and trouble.

Early in the autumn, Crockett returned to Central Tennessee to fetch
his family to the new home. Upon reaching his cabin in Giles County, he
was met by a summons to attend a special session of the Legislature. He
attended, and served out his time, though he took but little interest
in legislative affairs. His thoughts were elsewhere, and he was
impatient for removal, before cold weather should set in, to his
far-distant home.

Late in October he set out with his little family on foot, for their
long journey of one hundred and fifty miles through alm