CHAPTER XXXIV 



EXPEDITION TO THE UPPER MISSOURI 



Ambitions at fifty-seven — Plans his last expedition in the role of natural- 

 ist — Credentials from public men — Canvassing tour in Canada de- 

 scribed — Baird's plans to accompany Audubon west frustrated — 

 Western expedition begun — Ascent of the Missouri and Yellowstone — 

 Discoveries of new birds — A wilderness that howls — Buffalo hunting — 

 Passing of the great herds — Return from Fort Union — Incident on the 

 canal boat — Completion of the octavo edition of the Birds. 



In the summer of 1842, when his two new undertak- 

 ings were well in hand, Audubon was planning a jour- 

 ney which he felt would help them both, his long cher- 

 ished but ever deferred expedition to the Far West; in 

 the dim perspective his mind's eye could trace the snowy 

 summits of the Rocky Mountains, a promised land he 

 was never destined to see, though, with true poetic jus- 

 tice, one of those grand peaks now bears his name. At 

 this time he was in his fifty-eighth year, and although 

 his family thought him too old for so arduous a journey, 

 he would not be thwarted, for his eye was undimmed 

 and his natural force unabated. 



The letters which passed between Audubon and 

 Baird at this time show how eager was his young friend 

 to attach himself to the party. While in Washington, 

 July 27, 1842, Baird wrote: 



After making several unsuccessful efforts to get a second 

 sight of you day before yesterday, I was obliged to give up 

 the attempt in despair. I went to the Capitol at half past 

 twelve and wandered over the whole building, Library, Senate 



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