A SUSPICIOUS APPEARANCE. 99 



"wliile on anotlier occasion penetrating the for- 

 midable interior of an American swamp. A 

 sultry noon rendered it dangerous to linger 

 midst the pernicious effluvia with which exces- 

 sive heat impregnates the dense atmosphere of 

 their morasses. 



Audubon, therefore, laden with the double 

 burden of his weighty gun, and a rich booty of 

 wood ibises, directed his course towards home. 

 Unexpectedly he came upon the banks of a miry 

 pool. As he could not ascertain the depth of 

 the water, owing to its muddiness, he thought it 

 best, while wading through it, to dispense with 

 his burden, which he flung to the opposite mar- 

 gin. Then drawing his knife, as a defence 

 against alligators, he plunged into the pool, fol- 

 lowed by his faithful Plato. 



Soon he had reason to think that alligators 

 were not the only enemies to be feared. 

 Scarcely had he reached the shore, when his 

 dog exhibited unmistakeable signs of terror at 

 some discovery he was the first to make. Au- 

 dubon supposing his fear to proceed from the 

 scent of some bear or wolf, put his hand on his 

 gun, when he was enlightened as to the cause 

 of alarm by a loud voice, which commanded him 

 to " stand still, or die." Astonished and indig- 

 nant at so singular and peremptory a mandate, 

 he determined to resist it, no matter from whom 



