136 IN THE DAYS OF AUDUBON 



expression filled his face. It was evident that his family 

 to him was everything it was more than life. He would 

 rather die than be separated from his own. 



" I will follow you," said Audubon. 



" Then I will lay my old gun down here, that you may 

 know my heart is true." 



He laid his gun down by a tree. 



" And you shall take my knife." 



He handed the knife to Audubon. 



They traveled into a mighty swamp, the home of 

 great reptiles, and flocks of pelican-like birds. The ways 

 were tortuous and winding. 



At last the negro stopped and uttered a cry, or call, 

 that pierced the ear of Audubon and he involuntarily 

 leveled his gun. 



" No harm, massa," said the negro. " Put aside your 

 weapon, no harm. I only did that to let my wife know 

 that I am coming. 



He listened. 



His cry was answered by a woman at a point in the 

 distance. 



" My wife, my own wife, mine," he said, with a look 

 of delight. 



" O master, my wife may be black, but she is as beau- 

 tiful to me as the wife of the President is to her own. She is 

 to me like a queen. You shall see her and my little chil- 

 dren." 



