94 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



CHAPTER YIII. 



TN a certain section on the Mississippi River, 

 -*- there is an extensive swamp, interesting to all 

 lovers of natural philosophy, from its rare and 

 curious abundance of birds, animals, and reptiles. 

 This swamp follows the windings of the Yazoo, 

 till that river breaks off to the north-east, form- 

 ing at that point the stream named Cold Water 

 River. Audubon, during his rambles about its 

 banks, chanced to meet with a squatter's cabin. 

 The owner, like most other settlers in such dis- 

 tricts, was a lover of adventure, and so well 

 versed in the chase, as to be intimately acquaint- 

 ed with the habits of birds and quadrupeds. 

 Audubon, immediately on entering the hut, con- 

 versed with the settler respecting the situation 

 and productions of the swamp. The answers 

 he received were such as to increase his interest 

 on the spot. He then requested the favour that 

 his host would guide him through the morasses, 

 and welcome guest as he was, instantly found 

 this, like all his other wishes was cordially as- 

 sented to. An evening of pleasant quietude, 



