OLD MISSOURI DAYS 169 



He saw that the Indians and great animals would disap- 

 pear. There came to him a desire to picture this vanishing 

 world — to write a history with the brush of a painter. 



" My sons," he said, in effect, " you know my work in 

 life. I have sought to paint the life of the American for- 

 ests, and the work will live. The king has set his signature 

 upon it. 



" I left France with the thought of doing this work 

 for the work's sake. I did not seek money or fame, but to 

 live my life, and fulfil the gift that Heaven had given me. 

 I have kept my heart pure that I might see clearly, for 

 only the pure can see. 



"I have painted the America of birds; I now wish to 

 paint the America of animals. I am an old man now. 

 Will you leave your business and give me your help in this 

 great undertaking? " 



The spirit of a father lives in the son, and the two sons 

 of Audubon saw clearly what their father wished to accom- 

 plish. 



" Yes," said they; " go to the lands of the stolid Indians 

 and we will follow you, or will work for you anywhere, as 

 you may decide our course." 



His wife was as noble. She had acted as his agent in 

 London. She saw what her boys bad seen. 



" Yes," she said in the old-time spirit, " I will give you 

 all that I have to give. You have written the history of 

 America in birds, paint it now in the animals; one day the 



