24 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



But the most delighting triumph of all to Will 

 was, that he could now claim his blue-eyed love, 

 Mattie, as his own. In defiance of opposition, 

 he took her for his bride. Years of unalloyed 

 happiness were the reward of his trials and his 

 toils. Care, sorrow, endurance were forgotten, 

 even ambition slumbered, while he basked in 

 the contest of his new-found joy. 



But changes awaited him. The noble contest 

 for freedom and independence arose, and then 

 all that was elevated and unselfish in his nature 

 awoke. Wealth, ease, were relinquished with 

 the ready consent of Mattie, joyful if her beloved 

 remained at her side. Will's services in his 

 country's cause were unremitting and effectual. 

 His sincerity was proved by the sacrifice of his 

 entire fortune ; for the conclusion of hostilities 

 saw him a beggar, the result of his hardly 

 earned possessions flown ! Energy and enter- 

 prise he knew must open a fresh path of pro- 

 gress for him. The glorious lands beyond the 

 Alleghanies offered the best resource; and 

 thither he resolved, if Mattie would accompany 

 him, to repair. He met with no remonstrance 

 from his sweet wife. Her whitening cheek alone 

 told the one pang of consent. 



The journey was long and arduous, but the 

 travellers found compensation in the stimulus 

 of novelty, as well as in the charms of the lovely 



