70 Life of Audubon. 



in the separate joints explodes like a shell. The con- 

 stant fusilade occasioned by such explosions in the midst 

 of a conflagration has occasioned the flight of parties not 

 conversant with the cause, and who believed that the In- 

 dians were advancing with volleys of musketry. I had 

 determined that my companion should view a cane-brake 

 in all its perfection, and leading him several miles in a 

 direct course, came upon as fine a sample as existed in 

 that part of the country. We entered, and for some time 

 proceeded without much difficulty, as I led the way, and 

 cut down the canes which were most likely to incommode 

 him. The difficulties gradually increased, so that we 

 were presently obliged to turn our backs and push our 

 way through. After a while we chanced to come upon 

 the top of a fallen tree, which so obstructed our passage, 

 that we were on the eve of going round, instead of thrust- 

 ing ourselves through amongst the branches ; when from 

 its bed, in the centre of the tangled mass, forth rushed a 

 bear with such force, that my friend became terror struck, 

 and in his haste to escape made a desperate attempt to 

 run, but fell amongst the canes in such a way that he was 

 completely jammed. I could not refrain from laughing 

 at the ridiculous exhibition he made, but my gaiety how- 

 ever was not very pleasing to the discomfited naturalist. 

 A thunder-storm with a deluge of rain completed our ex 

 perience of the cane-brake, and my friend begged to be 

 taken out. This could only be accomplished by crawl- 

 ing in a serpentine manner out of the jungle, from which 

 the eccentric naturalist was delighted to escape, perfectly 

 overcome with fatigue and fear. The eccentric was more 

 than gratified with the exploit, and soon after left my 

 abode without explanation or farewell. A letter of 

 thanks, however, showed that he had enjoyed the hospi- 

 tality, and was not wanting in gratitude." 



In his Kentucky rambles Audubon had more thai 



