276 Life of Audubon, 



sequence plunged into the stream, but after some exertion 

 he succeeded in gaining his gallant bark, when he con- 

 soled himself by giving utterance to a volley of blasphe 

 mies, which it would ill become me to repeat, as it would 

 be disagreeable to you to hear. We slept somewhere 

 that night j it does not suit my views to tell you where. 

 Before day returned to smile on the Favorite, we pro- 

 ceeded. Soon we came to some rapids, when every one, 

 glad to assist her, leaped on shore, and tugged a la cordelle. 

 Some miles further we passed a curious cataract, formed 

 by the waters of the Pokioke. 



" There Sambo led his steeds up the sides of a high 

 bank, when, lo ! the whole party came tumbling down 

 like so many hogsheads of tobacco rolled from a store- 

 house to the banks of the Ohio. He at the steering oar, 

 ' Hoped the black rascal had broken his neck,' and con- 

 gratulated himself in the same breath for the safety of his 

 horses, which presently got on their feet. Sambo, how- 

 ever, alert as an Indian chief, leaped on the naked back 

 of one, and, showing his teeth, laughed at his master's 

 curses. Shortly after this, we found our boat very snug- 

 ly secured on the top of a rock, midway in the stream, 

 just opposite the mouth of Eel River. Next day at noon 

 — none injured, but all chop-fallen — we were landed at 

 Woodstock Village, yet in its infancy. After dining 

 there, we procured a cart and an excellent driver, and 

 proceeded along an execrable road towards Houlton, in 

 Maine, glad enough, after all our mishaps, at finding our- 

 selves in our own country. But before I bid farewell to 

 the beautiful river of St. John, I must tell you that its 

 navigation seldom exceeds eight months each year, the 

 passage during the rest being performed on the ice, of 

 which we were told that last season there was an unusual 

 quantity; so much indeed as to accumulate, by being 

 jammed at particular spots, to the height of nearly fifty 



