102 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



the few possessions of whicb. were neatly and 

 carefully disposed. The kindly demeanour of 

 the negro, together with the amiable expression 

 of his affection for his family, had now com- 

 pletely won Audubon's confidence. Convinced 

 of his host's good intentions, and the sincerity of 

 his hospitality, he did not hesitate to remain be- 

 neath his roof. While he received every atten- 

 tion which could ensure his comfort, the children 

 caressed his dog, and after partaking heartily 

 of a savoury repast, he eagerly listened to the 

 painful recital of the negro's trials. 



The master to whom he and his family had at 

 first belonged, had been obliged, in consequence 

 of some heavy losses he had sustained, to ofier 

 them for sale. The negro was purchased by a 

 planter — ^his wife became the possession of an- 

 other, a hundred miles distant, and the children 

 were hurried to different places. The loving 

 heart of the slave was overwhelmed with grief 

 at the calamity of this great loss. For a time 

 entirely prostrated by the misfortune, he sor- 

 rowed in the deepest dejection, without energy 

 or hope. At length the powers of resistance 

 awakened. He resolved to act boldly and with- 

 out delay. One stormy night, when the fury of 

 the hurricane favoured him, by causing every 

 one to seek the shelter of his dwelling, he effect- 

 ed his escape, his intimate knowledge of the 



