CHAPTEE XIV. 



Audubon Leaves New Oblbaks foe Kentucky — Aeeival at Bayou 

 Saea — Engagement at Me. Pbeeib's to Teach Deawing — Puesuit 



OP BlEDS POETEAIT TaKEN FEOM A COEPSE — DeAWS A EaTTLE- 



SNAKB — Dissection of a Eattlesnake's Poison Pangs — Eetubn to 

 New Oeleans — Eeview op Woek done since Leaving Home — 

 Peoposal to Paint a Panoeama — Expected Aeeival op Wife 

 AND Family. 



Audubon's fortunes in New Orleans varied exceedingly. From 

 the sorest penury and deepest distress lie was suddenly raised by 

 the happy spirit he possessed and the untiring energy of his 

 character. One day he was going about seeking for a patron to 

 obtain a few dollars by drawing a portrait ; the next he was dining 

 with Governor Robertson of Louisiana, who gave him a letter 

 of recommendation to President Monroe in connection with the 

 expedition to Mexico. He had determined to go to Shipping 

 Port, Kentucky, but his departure was hindered by an engage- 

 ment from a few pupils. He writes in his diary : — 



" Jvme 16. Left New Orleans in the steamer Columbus, 

 Captain John D'Hart, for Shipping Port, Kentucky. Been 

 greatly oppressed while at work lately, and greatly tormented 

 by mosquitoes, which prevented my sleeping at night. Much 

 disappointed by one patron at New Orleans, who affected great 

 interest in me, but would not pay one hundred dollars he owed." 



It happened however that Audubon was not to return to his 

 family as soon as he expected. The voyage to Shipping Port 

 was cut short by the acceptance of a situation in the family 

 of Mrs. Perrie, who owned a plantation at Bayou Sara, in 



