478 AUDUBON 



of passing through them is by pushing one's self back- 

 ward, and wedging a way between the stems. To follow a 

 Bear or a Cougar pursued by dogs through these brakes is 

 a task the accomplishment of which may be imagined, but 

 of the difficulties and dangers accompanying which I can- 

 not easily give an adequate representation. 



The canes generally grow on the richest soil, and are 

 particularly plentiful along the margins of the great western 

 rivers. Many of our new settlers are fond of forming 

 farms in their immediate vicinity, as the plant is much 

 relished by all kinds of cattle and horses, which feed upon 

 it at all seasons, and again because these brakes are plenti- 

 fully stocked with game of various kinds. It sometimes 

 happens that the farmer clears a portion of the brake. 

 This is done by cutting the stems — which are fistular and 

 knotted, like those of other grasses — with a large knife or 

 cutlass. They are afterwards placed in heaps, and when 

 partially dried set fire to. The moisture contained be-^ 

 tween the joints is converted into steam, which causes the 

 cane to burst with a smart report, and when a whole mass 

 is crackling, the sounds resemble discharges of musketry. 

 Indeed, I have been told that travellers floating down the 

 rivers, and unacquainted with these circumstances, have 

 been induced to pull their oars with redoubled vigor, 

 apprehending the attack of a host of savages, ready to 

 scalp every one of the party. 



A day being fixed, we left home after an early break- 

 fast, crossed the Ohio, and entered the woods. I had 

 determined that my companion should view a cane-brake 

 in all its perfection, and after leading him several miles in 

 a direct course, came upon as fine a sample as existed in 

 that part of the country. We entered, and for some time 

 proceeded without much difficulty, as I led the way, and 

 cut down the canes which were most likely to incommode 

 him. The difficulties gradually increased, so that we were 

 presently obliged to turn our backs to the foe, and push 



