110 IN THE DATS OF AUDUBON 



pedition along the great rivers of the Middle States. What 

 should be done with these drawings and colorings? Where 

 should he hide them where they would be perfectly secure? 

 for he felt that his future was in them. He must do as 

 Victor had said. 



He visited Philadelphia with the plates, and there found 

 a solitary room where he thought they would be secure. 

 He rented the room. 



" No one must use the room until I return," said he 

 to his host. " These plates are not only my fortune, they 

 are my life. They have cost me the labor of years." 



" I understand you," said mine host. " Under no cir- 

 cumstances shall the room be used. Your work shall be 

 guarded like the jewels of a queen." 



" Do not let even the cat enter the place." 



" No, my friend, these plates which are sacred to you 

 shall be my trust. Not even the cat shall visit the room." 



" Let me adjust the Venetian blinds so as to guard 

 against the sun. The light of a room sometimes affects the 

 color of pictures." 



He adjusted the blinds so as to shut out the sun. 



Then he locked the room; he left it in darkness, and 

 he turned reluctantly away from these gems of art that 

 had cost him so much suffering and toil — ay, and so 

 much joy. 



He went away, roamed the river-side forests, seeking 

 new birds and making new drawings. But his thoughts 



