A SUSPICIOUS APPEARANCE. 93 
while on another occasion penetrating the for ° 
midable interior of an American swamp. A 
sultry noon rendered it dangerous to linger 
midst the pernicious effluvia with which exces: 
sive heat impregnates the dense atmosphere of 
their morasses. 
Audubon, therefore, laden with the double 
burden of his weighty gun, and a rich booty of 
wood ibises, directed his course towards home. 
Unexpectedly he came upon the banks of a miry 
pool. As he could not ascertain the depth of 
the water, owing to its muddiness, he thought it 
best, while wading through it, to dispense with 
his burden, which he flung to the opposite mar- 
gin. Then drawing his knife, as a defence 
against alligators, he plunged into'the pool, fol- 
lowed by his faithful Plato. 
Soon he had reason to think that alligators 
were not the only enemies to be feared. 
Scarcely had he reached the shore, when his 
dog exhibited unmistakeable signs of terror at 
some discovery he was the first to make. Au- 
dubon supposing his fear to proceed from the 
scent of some bear or wolf, put his hand on his 
gun, when he was enlightened as to the cause 
of alarm by a loud voice, which commanded him 
to “stand still, or die.” Astonished and indig- 
nant at so singular and peremptory a mandate, 
ne determined te resist it, no matter from whom 
