I^WW " 



200 



AUDUBON 



- A 



\ < 



words and actions of our newly formed friends. I wish 

 here to name those persons who so unexpectedly came 

 forward to render our stay among them agreeable, but 

 feel at a loss with whom to begin, so equally deserving are 

 they of our gratitude. The Croghans, the Clarks (our 

 great traveller included), the Berthouds, the Gaits, the 

 Maupins, the Tarascons, the Beals, and the Booths, form 

 but a small portion of the long list which I could give. 

 The matrons acted like mothers to my wife, the daughters 

 proved agreeable associates, and the husbands and sons 

 were friends and companions to me. If I absented myself 

 on business, or otherwise, for any length of time, my wife 

 was removed to the hospitable abode of some friend in the 

 neighborhood until my return, and then, kind reader, I 

 was several times obliged to spend a week or more with 

 these good people before they could be prevailed upon to 

 let us return to our own residence. We lived for two years 

 at Louisville, where we enjoyed many of the best pleasures 

 which this life can afford ; and whenever we have since 

 chanced to pass that way, we have found the kindness of 

 our former friends unimpaired. 



During my residence at Louisville, much of my time 

 was employed in my ever favorite pursuits. I drew and 

 noted the habits of everything which I procured, and my 

 collection was daily augmenting, as every individual who 

 carried a gun always sent me such birds or quadrupeds 

 as he thought might prove useful to me. My portfolios 

 already contained upwards of two hundred drawings. 

 Dr. W. C. Gait being a botanist, was often consulted by 

 me, as well as his friend. Dr. Ferguson. Mr. Gilly drew 

 beautifully, and was fond of my pursuits. So was my 

 friend, and now relative, N. Berthoud. As I have already 

 said, our time was spent in the most agreeable manner, 

 through the hospitable friendship of our acquaintance. 



One fair morning I was surprised by the sudden en- 

 trance into our counting-room of Mr. Alexander Wilson, 



