192 John Bachmaa. 



the week out of the city, and I find my digestion 

 affected. Strange that witli little practice with the 

 gun, I should shoot more steadily than formerly. I 

 recently had three long shots at deer — killed two 

 and wounded the third. I never saw such quanti- 

 ties of ducks as atWaccamaiv. I killed seven English 

 ducks with one barrel, and five with the other. On 

 the morning before I left, I took them singly, I had 

 fourteen shots at English ducks, and killed every 

 one. I had many spectators, and a kicking gun, 

 from which my cheek suffered. If John had l)een 

 there, with his big " Buffalo," (gun) he would have 

 astonished the ducks. I have an episode to add ; 

 They are ready to swear at Waccamaw, that there is 

 a new^ species of English duck, common there in 

 March — smaller than ours. They will send some 

 down to me, and we shall see. I received yesterday, 

 a Black-winged Hawk — killed at Edisto ; take notice, 

 in Winter. Query — have they ever been seen so far 

 North as this, in Summer? 



P. S. I have just heard from Victor ; he writes, 

 ''Eliza is a little better." Out of the seven letters 

 sent by us to Cuba, not one has yet been received. 



J. B. 

 From Mrs. Victor Audubon : 



Havan^\, Cuba, March 14th, 18-11. 

 " Dear J.'s letter was the first received, since our 

 stay on the Island, and it gave us great pleasure. I 

 have been prevented by indisposition, from answer- 

 ing it. To-day, I feel unusually well, and so write 

 to you all whom I long to see. Do not fear that my 

 kind husband will take me North, without my see- 

 ing you all, in my first happy home. The thought 

 of meeting my beloved family and friends in Charles- 

 ton, has filled my mind botli night and day. 



