118 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
warm his warlike nature, but in vain. I waited 
and talked, waited and talked, until my patience, 
sir—you must know I am not overburdened with 
it—my patience being exhausted, I rose, threw my 
pallet and brush on the floor, stamped, walked 
to and fro about the room, and vociferated 
such fearful calumnies against our navy, that I 
startled the good commodore. Yet he still looked 
at me with a plain countenance, and, as he told 
me since, thought I had lost my senses. But I 
observed him all the while, and fully as deter- 
mined to carry my point as he would be to carry 
off an enemy’s ship, I gave my oaths additional 
e1nphasis, addressed him as a representative of 
the navy, and, steering somewhat clear of per- 
sunal insult, played off my batteries against the 
craft. At last, the commodore walked up to me, 
placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, and told 
me in a resolute manner, that if I had intended 
to insult the navy, he would instantly cut off my 
ears. His features exhibited all the spirit and 
animation of his noble nature, and as I had now 
succeeded in rousing the lion, I judged it time 
to retreat. So, changing my tone, I begged his 
pardon, and told him he now looked precisely as 
I wished to represent him. He laughed, and re- 
turning to his seat, assumed a bold countenance, 
and so, sir, see the picture!” 
From New Orleans, Audubon proceeded again 
