268 Life of Audubon. 



" I proceeded up a little stream to insure the safety of 

 my canoe from any sudden storm, when, as I gladly ad- 

 vanced, a beautiful yawl came unexpectedly in view. 

 Surprised at such a sight in a part of the country then 

 scarcely known, I felt a sudden check in the circulation 

 of my blood. My paddle dropped from my hands, and 

 fearfully indeed as I picked it up, did I look towards the 

 unknown boat On reaching it, I saw its sides maiked 

 with stains of blood, and looking with anxiety over the 

 gunwale, I perceived to my horror two human bodies cov- 

 ered with gore. Pirates or hostile Indians I was per- 

 suaded had perpetrated the foul deed, and my alarm 

 naturally increased ; my heart fluttered, stopped and 

 heaved with unusual tremors, and I looked towards the 

 setting sun in consternation and despair. How long my 

 reveries lasted, I cannot tell I can only recollect that I 

 was roused from them by the distant groans of one ap- 

 parently in mortal agony. I felt as if refreshed by the 

 cold perspiration that oozed from every pore, and I re- 

 flected that though alone, I was well armed, and might 

 hope for the protection of the Almighty. 



" Humanity whispered to me that, if not surprised 

 and disabled, I might render assistance to some sufferer, 

 or even be the means of saving a useful life. Buoyed up 

 by this thought, I urged my canoe on shore, and seizing 

 it by the bow, pulled it at one spring high among the 

 grass. 



" The groans of .the unfortunate person fell heavy on 

 my ear, as I cocked and reprimed my gun, and I felt de- 

 termined to shoot the first that should rise from the grass. 

 As I cautiously proceeded, a hand was raised over the 

 weeds, and waved in the air in the most supplicating 

 manner. I levelled my gun about a foot below it ; when 

 the next moment, the head and breast of a man cov- 

 ered with blood were convulsively raised, and a fainf 



