T8 LIFE OF AUDUBON. 



should prevail, and that my final success as an ornithologist 

 should be triumphant. 



" March, 1823. My preparations for leaving Ratchez almost 

 complete. 



"May 1. Left Mr. Periy's on a visit io Jackson, Mississippi, 

 which I found to be a mean place, a rendezvous for gamblers 

 and vagabonds. Disgusted with the place and the people, I 

 left it and returned to my wife. I agreed to remain with the 

 Perrys throughout the summer, and teach the young ladies 

 music and drawing. I continued to exercise myself in painting 

 with oil, and greatly improved myself. I undertook to paint 

 the portraits of my wife's pupils, but found their complexions 

 difficult to transfer to canvas. On account of some misunder- 

 standing, I left the Perrys and returned to Natchez, but did not 

 know what course to follow. I thought of going to Philadelphia, 

 and again thought of going to Louisville and once more entering 

 upon mercantile pursuits, but had no money to move any- 

 where." 



During a visit to a plantation near Natchez, both he and his 

 son Victor were attacked with fever, and Mrs. Audubon hastened 

 to nurse both of them. 



" September 8. I was asked to go and recruit my health at 

 the Perrys', and I went to Bayou Sara. I sent on my drawings 

 to Philadelphia, and resolved to visit that city and obtain em- 

 ployment as a teacher. 



" September 30. Sold a note for services in Natchez, and with 

 proceeds took steamer to New Orleans. 



" October 3. Left New Orleans for Kentucky, where I in- 

 tended to leave my son Victor with my wife's relations, and 

 proceed on my travels. I left Bayou Sara with my son Victor 

 on board the steamer Magnet, bound for the Ohio, and was 

 kindly treated by Captain McKnight, the commander. After a 

 pleasant voyage we arrived at the beautiful village of Trinity, 

 but found the water too low for further navigation. I had 

 resolved to push on my journey, if Victor was strong enough to 

 undertake the exertion. Other two passengers desired to ac- 

 company us, and after I had left my luggage to the care of the 

 tavern-keeper, our party crossed Cash Creek, at which I had 

 before spent a pleasant time, and pushed across the country. 



