F'-J il 



182 



AUDUBON 



ness for the use of the same. The contents of the south- 

 cast bastion are similar to tho3e of the other, with the 

 exception of the cannon, having but one small swivel. 

 These and other preparations render the place impregnable 

 to any force without, not furnished with artillery. The prin- 

 cipal building in the establishment, and that of the gentle- 

 man in charge, or Bourgeois, is now occupied by Mr. 

 Culbertson, one of the partners of the Company. It is 

 78 feet front by 24 feet depth, and a story and a half high. 

 The front has a very imposing appearance, being neatly 

 weather-boarded, and painted white, and with green win- 

 dow-shutters ; it is roofed with shingle, painted red to pre- 

 serve the wood. In the roof in front are four dormer 

 windows, which serve to give light to the attic. The pnzza 

 in front adds much to the comfort and appearance, the 

 posts are all turned, and painted white. It serves as a 

 pleasant retreat from the heat of the day, and is a refresh- 

 ing place to sleep at night when mosquitoes are plenty. 

 Mr. Audubon, the naturalist, now here upon scientific 

 researches, together with his secretary, Mr. Squires, prefer 

 this hard bed to the more luxurious comforts of feathers 

 and sheets. The interior of this building is handsomely 

 papered and ornamented with portraits and pictures, and 

 portioned off in the following manner. Mr. Culbertson 

 has the principal room, which is large, commodious, and 

 well-furnished ; from it he has a view of all that passes 

 within the fort. Next to this is the office, which is 

 devoted exclusively to the business of the Company, which 

 is immense. This department is now under my super- 

 vision (viz., E. T. Denig). These two rooms occupy 

 about one-half the building. In the middle is a hall, 

 eight feet wide, which separates these rooms from the 

 other part. In this is the mess-room, which is nearly 

 equal in size to tl\at of Mr. Culbertson. Here the Bour- 

 geois, taking his seat at the head of the table, attends to 

 its honors, and serves out the luxuiies this wilderness 



