JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. 179 



whiskey, and then took a large carving-knife to a 

 grindstone, and sharpened it. " I saw her pour the 

 water on the turning machine," says Audubon, 

 " and watched her working away with the danger- 

 ous instrument, until the cold sweat covered every 

 part of my body, in despite of my determination 

 to defend myself to the last. Her task finished, 

 she walked to her reeling sons, and said, e There, 

 that'll soon settle him ! Boys, kill you and then 

 for the watch ! ' " 



Just at this moment the door suddenly opened, 

 and two travellers entered. The mother and her 

 sons were bound, and Audubon's life was saved. 



He arrived at last at Hendersonville, and soon 

 went into business with a brother-in-law at New 

 Orleans. He embarked all the fortune at his dis- 

 posal, and lost it all. 



His father had already died, leaving Audubon 

 an estate in France, and over three thousand 

 pounds deposited with a merchant in Richmond, Ya. 

 The merchant died insolvent, and Audubon never 

 received a pound. He made no effort to possess 

 the property in Prance, and years afterwards it 

 was transferred to his sister Rosa. He now began 

 to feel anxious about the future. A second son, 

 John, had been born to him, and he must try once 

 more to earn in business. Gathering a few hun- 

 dred dollars, he purchased some goods in Louis- 

 ville, and returned to. Hendersonville. A former 

 partner joined him, advised erecting a steam mill, 

 which was done. Several men invested capital in 



