TRAVERSING A PRAIRIE. 69 



CHAPTER VI. 



/^N kis return from the Mississippi, Audubon 

 ^^ found himself obliged to traverse one of 

 those vast prairies which form a striking charac- 

 teristic of his country. His dog, his knapsack 

 and his gun were his sole provision and com- 

 pany. Guided by the track of the Indian 

 throughout the da}^, he wandered, gazing only 

 on the monotony of the vast expanse, unvaried 

 by one glimpse of human shape or habitation, 

 till at length the sun disappeared beneath the 

 horizon. 



Then the roar of wild animals in the distance, 

 the flapping of the night birds in their flight, 

 and the buzzing of insects, were the only sounds 

 which greeted his ears. As darkness gradually 

 enshrouded the whole extent of the prairie, his 

 desire increased to reach some hut or woodland, 

 in which to shelter for the night. Suddenly a 

 fire-light in the distance caught his sight, suffi- 

 ciently near for him to perceive, from its glare, 

 that it proceeded from the hearth of a small log 

 cabin. Before it a tall figure constantly flitted, 



