70 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
as if busied in some domestic occupation, Au- 
dubon hastened to the spot, and presenting him- 
self at the door of the dwelling, asked hospi- 
tality for the night of the woman whom he had 
firstseen. The answer in the affirmative was cal- 
culated rather to scare away an intruder, than 
invite a guest, from its hoarse, impulsive tone, 
which caused Audubon involuntarily a chill of 
repugnance. Her appearance, moreover, might 
have dismayed any but the stoutest heart. About 
her tall, gaunt figure, hér miserable attire was 
heedlessly gathered. The roughness of her 
manner and the audacity of expression were 
also well suited to the large proportions and 
muscular limbs of this Meg Merrilies of the 
woods. 
Audubon, taking advantage of her response, 
however, walked in and seated himself -before 
the fire. The next object which met his view, 
presented a very different aspect. A young In- 
dian, of the most symmetrical form, leant in an 
attitude so motionless as scarcely to seem even 
to breathe. His head rested between his hands, 
and his elbows were on his knees, as though in 
suffering or deep thought. A long bow was 
near him, and some arrows and skins of racoons 
lay at his feet. Audubon, anxious to learn the 
cause of his remarkable quietude, and whether 
or not it proceeded from the apathy of his race, 
