294 AUDUBON 



THE BURNING OF THE FORESTS. 



With what pleasure have I seated myself by the blaz- 

 ing fire of some lonely cabin, when, faint with fatigue, 

 and chilled with the piercing blast, I had forced my 

 way to it through the drifted snows that covered the 

 face of the country as with a mantle. The affectionate 

 mother is hushing her dear babe to repose, while a group 

 of sturdy children surround their father, who has just re- 

 turned from the chase, and deposited on the rough floor- 

 ing of his hut the varied game which he has procured. 

 The great back-log, that with some difficulty has been 

 rolled into the ample chimney, urged, as it were, by lighted 

 pieces of pine, sends forth a blaze of light over the happy 

 family. The dogs of the hunter are already licking away 

 the trickling waters of the thawing icicles that sparkle 

 over their shaggy coats, and the comfort-loving cat is 

 busied in passing her furry paws over each ear, or with 

 her rough tongue smoothing her glossy coat. 



How delightful to me has it been when, kindly received 

 and hospitably treated under such a roof, by persons 

 whose means were as scanty as their generosity was great, 

 I have entered into conversation with them respecting 

 subjects of interest to me, and received gratifying informa- 

 tion. When the humble but plentiful repast was ended, 

 the mother would take from the shelf the Book of books, 

 and mildly request the attention of her family, while the 

 father read aloud a chapter. Then to Heaven would 

 ascend their humble prayers, and a good-night would be 

 bidden to all friends far and near. How comfortably have 

 I laid my wearied frame on the Buffalo hide, and covered 

 me with the furry skin of some huge Bear ! How pleasing 

 have been my dreams of home and happiness, as I there 

 lay, secure from danger and sheltered from the inclemency 

 of the weather. 



