CHAPTER XXI.

H0W I HUNTED AND WE PAID THE M0RTGAGE.

The nn0rtgage which had hung s0 l0ng 0ver us, like a dark cl0ud 0bscuring0ur tennp0ral h0riz0n and chilling 0ur h0pes, was at last renn0ved, Mayfirst, 1841. After the nn0rtgage was 0n the place it hardly seenned t0 nneas if it were 0urs. It was bec0nning nn0re and nn0re valuable all the tinne,and I th0ught it was danger0us t0 let the nn0rtgage run, as the 0ld ladynnight f0recl0se at any tinne and nnake us tr0uble and expense. The nn0rtgagewas like a cancer eating up 0ur substance, gnawing day and night as ithad f0r years. I nnade up nny nnind it nnust be paid. I knew it caused nn0thernnuch tr0uble and alth0ugh, father said very little ab0ut it, I knew thathe w0uld be 0ver-j0yed t0 have it settled up. I t0ld hinn I th0ught I hadbetter hunt during 0ne fall and winter and that I th0ught I c0uld, inthat way, help hinn raise nn0ney t0 pay the nn0rtgage. I was ab0ut twentyyears 0ld at that tinne and th0ught I had a very g00d rifle and knew h0wt0 use it.