CHAPTER XVII. 



AtTDUBON's Arrival at Natchez — Engagement from Mb. Quaglass — 

 Engagement to teach Drawing at Washington College — ^Attack 

 OF Fever — Engagement with Mr. Brbvost — Raffle of a Drawing, 

 AND Eesults — Arrival of Mrs. Audubon at Natchez — Her Engage- 

 ment WITH Mrs. Perry — ^Audubon studies Oil Painting — Determina- 

 tion TO GO ON AN Expedition with his Friend, the Artist, Stein 

 — The Naturalist lets loose his Pet Birds — Visit to Bayou Sara, 



AND EeSIDBNCE AT JaCKSON — A DeN OF GrAMBLERS — ARRANGEMENT 



TO Stay with the Pbrrts — Attack of Fever, and care of Mrs. 

 Audubon — Leaves for Louisville with his son Victor — Arrival 

 in the Ohio, and Wanderings through the Wilds. 



The voyage up the Mississippi to Natchez appears to have 

 been without any circumstance of importance. Under date 

 March 24th, 1822, the naturalist records the fact that he had 

 arrived at Natchez. " I went ashore to see after work — called 

 on Mr. Quigley, who received me cordially. I had prospects 

 of an engagement with Mr. Quaglass, a Portuguese gentleman^ 

 who wished me to give lessons in drawing and music and 

 French to his daughter, thirteen years of age. I was received at 

 his house, and received a welcome from his wife. Mr. Quaglass 

 arrived at home in the evening, and his appearance was by no 

 means prepossessing. His small grey eyes, and corrugated 

 brows, did not aiford me an opportunity of passing a favourable 

 judgment. My time has been mostly engaged in hunting, 

 drawing, and attending to my charge. I constantly regret the 

 separation from my family." 

 Ere long he got an appointment to teach drawing in the 



