A novel speculation, 117 



I did until the whole room came down in thunders of 

 applause, in clapping of hands and shouting, which put 

 an end to my first lesson and to an amusing comedy- 

 Lessons in fencing followed to the young gentlemen, and 

 I went to bed extremely fatigued. 



" The dancing speculation fetched two thousand dol- 

 lars ; and with this capital and my wife's savings I was 

 now able to foresee a successful issue to my great ornitho- 

 logical work." 



The remainder of Audubon's residence at Bayou Sara 

 was taken up with preparations for his intended voyage 

 to England, — where he expected to find the fame given 

 to all heroes so tardily in their own countries. 



