THIRD AMERICAN TOUR 165 



before him, but he soon came, and we were presented to his 

 excellency. He was dressed in a fancy velvet coat, and trowsers 

 trimmed with broad gold-lace ; around his neck was tied a cravat 

 somewhat in the style of seventy-six. He received us kindly, 

 was desirous of retaining us for awhile, and offered us every 

 facility within his power. He at once removed us from the 

 anteroom to his private chamber, which by the way was not 

 much cleaner than the former. We were severally introduced 

 by him to the different members of his cabinet and staff, and 

 at once asked to drink grog with him, which we did, wishing 

 success to his new republic. Our talk was short; but the im- 

 pression which was made on my mind at the time by himself, 

 his officers, and his place of abode, can never be forgotten. 



The party left Texas on the 18th of May, and on 

 the 27th reached New Orleans, which was then oppres- 

 sively hot and nearly deserted. Here Audubon's col- 

 lections and equipment were packed to be sent north; 

 his dog was given to his brother-in-law, William Bake- 

 well, and on the last day of the month the party began 

 to retrace their steps of the previous March. After 

 more hard traveling by car, coach and railroad, Charles- 

 ton was reached in eight and a half days, on June 10, 

 1837. Edward Harris, who ascended the Mississippi 

 from New Orleans for the purpose of making further 

 collections, later rejoined the party at Bachman's home 

 in Charleston. Audubon said that he lost twelve pounds 

 in weight during this journey, which proved exceedingly 

 trying, and the hardships encountered were hardly com- 

 mensurate with the returns in bird and animal lore; yet 

 Audubon was by no means dissatisfied at the results, 

 as shown by the following account which he gave Thom- 

 as Brewer two days after his return: 14 



The weather during the principal portion of our absence 

 "Thomas M. Brewer (Bibl. No. 79), loc. cit. 



