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The Life and Adventures of Nat Foster (Classic Reprint): Trapper and Hunter of the Adirondacks
Excerpt from The Life and Adventures of Nat Foster
Even in the daytime some wild animals at tacked the domestic ones, ii they wandered far into the woods. The pigs were never permitted to go into the woods in the fall to root for acorns, without being accompanied by a man with a gun, to shoot auv bear which might wish to change its diet from wild berries to fresh pork. The New England Colonies early began offer ing bounties for'the slaughter of these wild animals, and the pine-tree shilling was a welcome reward to the struggling frontiersmen, in their contest with the wild beasts of the wilderness they were trying to subdue.
Even in the daytime some wild animals at tacked the domestic ones, ii they wandered far into the woods. The pigs were never permitted to go into the woods in the fall to root for acorns, without being accompanied by a man with a gun, to shoot auv bear which might wish to change its diet from wild berries to fresh pork. The New England Colonies early began offer ing bounties for'the slaughter of these wild animals, and the pine-tree shilling was a welcome reward to the struggling frontiersmen, in their contest with the wild beasts of the wilderness they were trying to subdue.
- GenresBiography
307 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 11, 2020
This book is a recollection of tales about Nat Foster, a locally famous hunter and trapper of New York's Adirondack mountains, and rumored to be the inspiration for James Fennimore Cooper's Natty Bumpo character from his Leatherstocking novels. The book actually begins with a decent retelling of Nat Foster's father and his adventures in the American Revolution, before focusing on Foster's many adventures in the woods. Lots of tales of hunting and trapping in the woods, some of it probably exaggeration, but entertaining none the less.
There's also a lot of fights with Indians in this book, and some attitudes that seem harsh these days. Even the writer of this book, who created it in 1897, seems a bit surprised by it. But the book does explain where it comes from. Foster was once tied and and threatened with scalping by British-allied Indians during the revolution, his sister was kidnapped by them (and quickly recovered), and his father saw several Indian massacres on the New York frontier during the war. So it's at least understandable where his prejudices came from.
Fans of the Adirondacks, or anybody familiar with upstate New York, will recognize a lot of places in this book. Some have changed into vacation resorts, others are still as wild as they were then. There's mention of the ill-fated Brown tract (of Brown college fame) that defied so many grand designs, and a guest appearance from Nicholas Stoner, another trapper of local fame. An all around interesting history of a colorful character.
There's also a lot of fights with Indians in this book, and some attitudes that seem harsh these days. Even the writer of this book, who created it in 1897, seems a bit surprised by it. But the book does explain where it comes from. Foster was once tied and and threatened with scalping by British-allied Indians during the revolution, his sister was kidnapped by them (and quickly recovered), and his father saw several Indian massacres on the New York frontier during the war. So it's at least understandable where his prejudices came from.
Fans of the Adirondacks, or anybody familiar with upstate New York, will recognize a lot of places in this book. Some have changed into vacation resorts, others are still as wild as they were then. There's mention of the ill-fated Brown tract (of Brown college fame) that defied so many grand designs, and a guest appearance from Nicholas Stoner, another trapper of local fame. An all around interesting history of a colorful character.
July 31, 2019
Some great history of our country and founding fathers
One can only imagine the hardships that our founding fathers went through to become a free country . Hunting and trapping at that time must've been absolutely fabulous . This is a great book if you're interested in hunting trapping and guiding .
One can only imagine the hardships that our founding fathers went through to become a free country . Hunting and trapping at that time must've been absolutely fabulous . This is a great book if you're interested in hunting trapping and guiding .
August 1, 2019
Bull
The author would like you to believe that this guy was Daniel Boone, Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie , and all the other famous frontiers men rolled into one. This guy saves lives numerous , by doing astonishingly amazing feats. Just way too much to believe. I got tired of reading how great he was.
The author would like you to believe that this guy was Daniel Boone, Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie , and all the other famous frontiers men rolled into one. This guy saves lives numerous , by doing astonishingly amazing feats. Just way too much to believe. I got tired of reading how great he was.
May 27, 2018
A lot of third person, but that was the manner in which the book was written. Interesting stories and makes one wish that they could meet Nat Foster.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews