A Good Shot. 359 



On my return from Aiken, a friend met me at the 

 Eailroad, insisted on my spending a night with him. 

 Nothing loth, I concluded to do so. On our way to 

 his house we took a deer-drive. A large doe came 

 by me like the wind, and I felt sure of killing her; 

 but my borrowed gun snapt, and the concussion 

 made the animal leap ; but luckily the second barrel 

 brought her down. I thought it quite an exploit, 

 circumstanced as I was; and this is a beginning and 

 end of all in that line, that I have attempted for six 

 months. Come to us, and I will give you up my old 

 sure stands where you can kill deer, with or without a 

 dorj-gerel. 



In Natural History I work by fits and starts at 

 long intervals, as inclination, health and duties per- 

 mit. I have before me a box full of Rocky Moun- 

 tain Quadrupeds. When I shall have time to de- 

 scribe them, I know not, but think of going to work 

 in a day or two. 



In the meantime, if you can procure for me half a 

 dozen of your New Jersey squirrels, stuffed, you will 

 confer a favor on me. This Genus I have found in- 

 tolerably troublesome, and when I have finished it, I 

 fear that others will have to correct my blunders. 

 Should you be in New Jersey this Spring, you will 

 have a fine chance of watching the warblers on their 

 Northern passage. There are a few designated by 

 Wilson, that we cannot find * 



My family all beg to be kindly remembered to 

 you. Yours with great esteem, J. B. 



The next letter tells of failing health. 



To AUDUBON. 



CHARLESTON, October 2d, 1837. 

 My dear friend I yesterday received your very 

 welcome letter, the first after your arrival in Lon- 

 don, also one from John and Maria. * * * 



