56 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



A small rap on each of the bats from Audu- 

 bon, brought him specimens enough. The con- 

 test thus arrived at a successful issue, Audubon 

 departed, not without a wondering glance at the 

 scene of warfare the room presented. The re- 

 mains of the stricken birds were strewn over it, 

 and a confused heap of plants which, a little 

 while since, carefully selected into groups, were 

 now in irrevocable disorder. 



De Thouville remained some days under the 

 hospitable roof of his new friend, during which 

 these fellow-labourers diligently pursued their 

 respective occupations. He naturally desired, 

 before departing, some memorial of the time and 

 place, which might also assist his researches in 

 vegetation, and enrich his possessions. The Cane 

 Brakes, which formerly spread over the Ken- 

 tucky State, interspersed with plants of every 

 description, tempted the imagination of the na- 

 turalist. Little was he aware of the difficulties 

 of eifecting a passage through those formidable 

 mazes, where the hunters cut a pathway with 

 their knives, and underwood, heavy perhaps 

 with sleet or rain, which comes down to the dis- 

 comfort of the poor traveller, as he bends the 

 foliage, and presses his way through. At De 

 Thouville's urgent request, however, the com- 

 panions set forth, Audubon not without a sly 

 and somewhat maUcious resolve to gratify his 



