CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 89 
of Sir William Drummond Stewart, Bar’, on his return from the 
Central part of the Rocky Mountains, and to come back with him 
and his too followers to St. Louis next Oct’. or early in November! 
God bless you. Present our best regards to all among you, and with 
the best Wishes of my whole family, believe me always, 
Your friend, 
Joun J. AupusBon. 
Baird’s reply to this is not found among the papers 
accessible, but its import may be inferred from the follow- 
ing letter: 
From J. J. Audubon to S. F. Baird. 
New York, Jany. 31, 1843. 
My pear Younc Frienp,— 
I have this evening received yours of the 28th Inst., and reply 
to its contents at once. 
It appears from the whole tenure of your letter, that that rascally 
article cash is the cause which prevents you from going along with 
me to the Yellowstone River and back. Now, it happens that al- 
though we are very far from being rich, we all feel desirous that you 
should go along with me, because we all know you, and I particularly 
so. Therefore, if you will go with me, and assist me all you can, in 
the way of hunting, measuring and dissecting Specimens when I am 
otherwise engaged, etc. etc. I will furnish you with all that may be 
necessary for your expenses, excepting your clothing and your gun 
or guns, as you may have them. I do not at present expect to be 
gone more than six months, and in all probability will go and return 
by water. Now and then you may have to assist Mr. Bell of this city 
in the skinning of a few large animals, but my principal wish is to 
employ you as my Secretary, in friendship, and for the sake of that 
Science to which I have now been devoted many years, and yourself 
several. 
Therefore, I wish you to consider this matter, and write to me 
as soon as you can, and send me your last decision at once. 
Besides John G. Bell, the stuffer, etc., I expect a young man 
from Hingham, Mass‘*., some of whose drawings I believe you have 
seen, and who will assist me when wanted, but who will especially 
