136 IN THE DAYS OP AUDUBON 



expression filled his face. It was evident that his family 

 to him was everything — it was more than life. He would 

 rather die than be separated from his own. 



" I will follow you," said Audubon. 



" Then I will lay my old gun down here, that you may 

 know my heart is true." 



He laid his gun down by a tree. 



" And you shall take my knife." 



He handed the knife to Audubon. 



They traveled into a mighty swamp, the home of 

 great reptiles, and flocks of pelican-like birds. The ways 

 were tortuous and winding. 



At last the negro stopped and uttered a cry, or call, 

 that pierced the ear of Audubon and he involuntarily 

 leveled his gun. 



" No harm, massa," said the negro. " Put aside your 

 weapon, no harm. I only did that to let my wife know 

 that I am coming. 



He listened. 



His cry was answered by a woman at a point in the 

 distance. 



" My wife, my own wife, mine," he said, with a look 

 of delight. 



" O master, my wife may be black, but she is as beau- 

 tiful to me as the wife of the President is to her own. She is 

 to me like a queen. You shall see her and my little chil- 

 dren." 



