94. AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
CHAPTER VIII. 
ie a certain section on the Mississippi River, 
there is an extensive swamp, interesting to all 
lovers of natural philosophy, from its rare and 
curious abundance of birds, animals, and reptiles. 
This swamp follows the windings of the Yazoo, 
til that river breaks off to the north-east, forni- 
ing at that point the stream named Cold Water 
River. Audubon, during his rambles about its 
banks, chanced to meet with a squatter’s cabin. 
The owner, like most other settlers in such dis- 
tricts, was a lover of adventure, and so well 
versed in the chase, as to be intimately acquaint- 
ed with the habits of birds and quadrupeds. 
Audubon, immediately on entering the hut, con- 
versed. with the settler respecting the situation 
and productions of the swamp. The answers 
he received were such as to increase his interest 
on the spot. He then requested the favour that 
his host would guide him through the morasses, 
and welcome guest as he was, instantly found 
this, like all his other wishes was cordially as- 
sented to. An evening of pleasant quictude, 
