274 



AUDUBON 



A TOUGH WALK FOR A YOUTH 



About twelve years ago I was conveyed, along with my 

 son Victor, from Bayou Sara to the mouth of the Ohio, 

 on board the steamer " Magnet," commanded by Mr. 

 McKnight, to whom I here again oflfer my best thanks 

 for his attentions. The very sight of the waters of that 

 beautiful river filled me with joy as we approached the 

 little village of Trinity, where we were landed along with 

 several other passengers, the water being too low to enable 

 the vessel to proceed to Louisville. No horses could be 

 procured, and as I was anxious to continue my journey 

 without delay, I consigned my effects to the care of the 

 tavern-keeper, who engaged to have them forwarded jy 

 the first opportunity. My son, who was not fourteen, with 

 all the ardor of youth, considered himself able to accom- 

 plish, on foot, the long journey which we contemplated. 

 Two of the passengers evinced a desire to accompany us, 

 " provided," said the tallest and stoutest of them, " the lad 

 can keep up. My business," he continued, " is urgent, 

 and I shall push for Frankfort pretty fast." Dinner, to 

 which we had contributed some fish from the river, being 

 over, my boy and I took a ramble along the shores of 

 Cash Creek, on which, some years before, I had been 

 detained several weeks by ice. We slept at the tavern, 

 and next morning prepared for our journey, and were 

 joined by our companions, although it was past twelve 

 before we crossed the creek. 



One of our fellow-travellers, named Rose, who was a 

 delicate and gentlemanly person, acknowledged that he 

 was not a good walker, and said he was glad that my son 

 was with us, as he might be able to keep up with the lively 

 youth. The other, a burly personage, at once pushed 

 forwards. We walked in Indian file along the narrow 

 track cut through the canes, passed a wood-yard, and 



