KENTUCKY CANE BRAKES. 57 
wish, even at some cost to himself. That he 
might not be intimidated at the outset, Audubon 
¢leared the way by cutting down the canes. 
Difficulties increased as they proceeded. Hav- 
ing passed the rubicon, the poor naturalist con- 
tinuea to wade his troubled way with many a 
regret and groan. Through knotted vines and 
intricacies of cane, they proceeded, till, coming 
on the misshapen mass of a fallen tree, they 
were about to precipitate themselves through it, 
when suddenly from its centre a bear rushed 
forth, angrily snuffing the air as though intent 
on the first prey that should present itself. 
Poor De Thouville, his ebbing energies ex- 
hausted as well as his moral powers, by fright, 
attempted to run, but fell terror-stricken among 
the canes, to remain. jammed between their 
stalks, as if pinioned. Audubon, repressing 
his merriment, in order to give the active as- 
sistance for which De Thouville loudly shrieked, 
actually succeeded in persuading him, spite the 
misadventure, to continue the expedition. But 
fresh terrors awaited them. The way became 
every moment more tangled. Heavy clouds, 
portentous of a storm of thunder, were observed 
by Audubon with malicious delight, but wita 
dread by his companion; who, panting, per 
spiring, and sighing, seemed about to surrender 
in despair. Still the thunder roared, and dashes 
