KENTUCKY CANE BRAKES. 57 



wish, even at some cost to himself. That he 

 might not be intimidated at the outset, Audubon 

 cleared the way by cutting down the canes. 

 Difficulties increased as they proceeded. Hav- 

 ing passed the rubicon, the poor naturalist con- 

 tinued to wade his troubled way with many a 

 regret and groan. Through knotted vines and 

 intricacies of cane, they proceeded, till, coming 

 on the misshapen mass of a fallen tree, they 

 were about to precipitate themselves through it, 

 when suddenly from its centre a bear rushed 

 forth, angrily snuffing the air as though intent 

 on the first prey that should present itself. 

 Poor De Thouville, his ebbing energies ex- 

 hausted as well as his moral powers, by fright, 

 attempted to run, but fell terror-stricken among 

 the canes, to remain jammed between their 

 stalks, as if pinioned. Audubon, repressing 

 his merriment, in order to give the active as- 

 sistance for which De Thouville loudly shrieked, 

 actually succeeded in persuading him, spite the 

 misadventure, to continue the expedition. But 

 fresh terrors awaited them. The way became 

 every moment more tangled. Heavy clouds, 

 portentous of a storm of thunder, were observed 

 by Audubon with malicious delight, but with 

 dread by his companion; who, panting, per- 

 spiring, and sighing, seemed about to surrender 

 in despair. Still the thunder roared, and dashes 



