70 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



as if busied in some domestic occupation. Au- 

 dubon hastened to the spot, and presenting him- 

 self at the door of the dwelling, asked hospi- 

 tality for the night of the woman whom he had 

 first seen. The answer in the affirmative was cal- 

 culated rather to scare awaj an intruder, than 

 invite a guest, from its hoarse, impulsive tone, 

 which caused Audubon involuntarily a chill of 

 repugnance. Her appearance, moreover, might 

 have dismayed any but the stoutest heart. About 

 her tall, gaunt figure, her miserable attire was 

 heedlessly gathered. The roughness of her 

 manner and the audacity of expression were 

 also well suited to the large proportions and 

 muscular limbs of this Meg Merrilies of the 

 woods. 



Audubon, taking advantage of her response, 

 however, walked in and seated himself before 

 the fire. The next object which met his view, 

 presented a very different aspect. A young In- 

 dian, of the most symmetrical form, leant in an 

 attitude so motionless as scarcely to seem even 

 to breathe. His head rested between his hands, 

 and his elbows were on his knees, as though in 

 suffering or deep thought. A long bow was 

 near him, and some arrows and skins of racoons 

 lay at his feet. Audubon, anxious to learn the 

 cause of his remarkable quietude, and whether 

 or not it proceeded from the apathy of his race, 



