250 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



accuracy the amount of money the journey might re- 

 quire, he could "safely say that the sum of $500. would 

 prove all sufficient, as our passages to the Yellow Stone 

 will be granted us free; and the expenses from here or 

 from Carlisle cannot exceed 50$ to St. Louis, and may 

 be less." "I have given up," he added, "all Idea of 

 going South this season, being determined to draw 

 quadrupeds until a few days of my leaving home for this 

 grand and Last Journey, I intend to make as a Natural- 

 ist." Again, on January 31, he wrote: 



It appears from the whole tenure of your letter, that that 

 rascally article cash is the cause which prevents you from go- 

 ing along with me to the Yellowstone River and back. Now, 

 it happens that although we are far from being rich, we are 

 all desirous that you should go along with me, because we all 

 know you, and I particularly so. Therefore, if you will go 

 with me, and assist me all you can, in the way of hunting, 

 measuring and dissecting Specimens when I am otherwise en- 

 gaged, etc. etc. I will furnish you with all that may be neces- 

 sary for your expenses, excepting your clothing and your gun 

 or guns, as you may have them. 



In still another letter, of February 10, Audubon said: 



That your kind mother should feel great reluctance in the 

 premises, does not astonish me, as my own good Wife was 

 much against my going on so long a Journey ; but her Strong 

 Sense of what is best for us all, and as well as in myself, the 

 perfect confidence that our Maker's Will will be done, she has 

 now no Scruples of any kind, and as for myself I rely as much 

 as I ever have done in the Support of the Almighty Being who 

 has supported and secured me against evils of all sorts in my 

 Various undertakings, and with this Idea at my heart, I feel 

 confident that although an Old Man, I could undertake any 

 Journey whatever, and no matter of their lengths or difficulties. 



