i88 Life of Auduhon. 



until the return of the tide. Having collected enough to 

 satisfy us, we took up our oars and returned to the shore 

 in front of the fisherman's house, where we dragged the 

 seine several times with success. 



" In this manner I passed several weeks along those 

 delightful and healthy shores — one day going to the 

 woods to search the swamps in which the herons bred, 

 passing another amid the joyous cries of the marsh hens, 

 and on a third cari-yiiig slaughter among the white breast- 

 ed sea-gulls ; by way of amusement sometimes hauling 

 the fish called the ' sheep's-head ' from an eddy along the 

 shore ; watching the gay terns as they danced in the 

 air, or plunged into the water to seize the tiny fry. Many 

 a drawing I made at Egg Harbor, and many a pleasant 

 day I spent along its shores ; and much pleasure would 

 it give me once more to visit the good and happy family 

 (Captain Horam's) in whose house I resided there. 



" September i. Having accomplished my purpose in 

 visiting the sea-shore of New Jersey, I returned to Phila- 

 delphia, and made preparations to go to the Great Pine 

 Swamp, in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. 



"Thk Great Pine Swamp. 



" I left Philadelphia at four of the morning by the 

 coach, with no other accoutrements than I knew to be ab- 

 solutely necessary for the jaunt which I intended to 

 make. These consisted of a wooden box, containing a 

 small stock of linen, drawing-pajDer, my journal, colors 

 and pencils, together with twenty-five pounds of shot, 

 some flints, a due quantum of cash, my gun, ' Tear Jack- 

 et,' and a heart as true to nature as ever. 



" Our coaches are none of the best, nor do they 

 move with the velocity of those of some other countries. 

 It was eight, and a dark night, when I reached Mauch 

 Chunk, now so celebrated in the Union for its rich coal 



