AUDUBON'S ^ENEID 313 



one quarter to another, their finances had reached so 

 low an ebb by the beginning of June that a move was 

 imperative. Audubon then decided to go to Shipping- 

 port, Kentucky, and on the 16th of June, with young 

 Mason, he again boarded the steamer Columbus, John 

 D'Hart, captain, and started up river. An incident 

 now occurred which affected the naturalist's whole after 

 life by introducing him to one of the most favored spots 

 in Louisiana, if not in the whole country, for the study 

 of bird life, not to speak of the impressions which the 

 charm of new scenery, a rich flora, and natural products 

 of the most varied description must have then made 

 on his mind. Mrs. James Pirrie, wife of a prosperous 

 cotton planter of West Feliciana Parish, happened to 

 be their fellow-passenger. Doubtless her curiosity was 

 piqued by the winning manners and flowing locks of 

 the artistic traveler, whose Gallic accent at once be- 

 trayed his nationality. Whether Audubon had made 

 her acquaintance previous to this journey or not is not 

 known, but before it was ended his fine enthusiasm and 

 ambitious plans had found a sympathizer, and he was 

 engaged as tutor to Mrs. Pirrie's daughter at $60 a 

 month. To further his ornithological pursuits it was 

 understood that he and his companion should live at 

 "Oakley," her husband's plantation, five miles from St. 

 Francisville, on Bayou Sara, and that one-half of his 

 time should be absolutely free for hunting and drawing. 

 Thus, on June 18, 1821, was forged the link that 

 bound the heart of Audubon to the State which was 

 first in his affections, and which he would fain believe 

 might have been the scene of his nativity. Well may 

 the Louisianians of today adopt him as their son, for 

 from that early time he cherished their State as in a pecu- 

 liar sense his own. 



