54 IN THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



innkeeper, to him, adding, " The herb-gatherer is something 

 of a naturalist himself." 



" I am something of a student of nature," said the herb- 

 gatherer. " They call me old because I am a man of the 

 woods. I am not very old. I am glad to find you study- 

 ing the woods. I hope that you will come to see, like me, 

 that all things were created for some good purpose." 



The two sat down under the trees in the early afternoon 

 and talked until sundown. 



" I have given up everything for science," said Audu- 

 bon. " People say that I lack common sense; there are 

 few who believe in me." 



Audubon went to his room, and Calvert came out to 

 talk with the hermit. 



" He has given up everything," said the hermit, re- 

 ferring to Audubon. " He can see clear. Let me prophesy 

 — he will one day become an interpreter of the woods, and 

 his influence will grow when all the people who laugh at 

 him are forgotten. 



" I shall come to the store more often to hear the papers 

 read, and I will hear from him again some day. That man 

 is living to do good in the animal world. The forests call 

 him to explain them. He wishes to leave all dumb life 

 better for his existence. Mark my words, you will hear 

 of that man again." 



" No, my good woodman, he will never attain to any 

 success. What is there in him to give him power? " 



