AUDUBON’S ANEID 313 
one quarter to another, their finances had reached so 
low an ebb by the beginning of June that a move was 
imperative. Audubon then decided to go to Shipping- 
port, Kentucky, and on the 16th of June, with young 
Mason, he again boarded the steamer Columbus, John 
D’Hart, captain, and started up river. An incident 
now occurred which affected the naturalist’s whole after 
life by introducing him to one of the most favored spots 
in Louisiana, if not in the whole country, for the study 
of bird life, not to speak of the impressions which the 
charm of new scenery, a rich flora, and natural products 
of the most varied description must have then made 
on his mind. Mrs. James Pirrie, wife of a prosperous 
cotton planter of West Feliciana Parish, happened to 
be their fellow-passenger. Doubtless her curiosity was 
piqued by the winning manners and flowing locks of 
the artistic traveler, whose Gallic accent at once be- 
trayed his nationality. Whether Audubon had made 
her acquaintance previous to this journey or not is not 
known, but before it was ended his fine enthusiasm and 
ambitious plans had found a sympathizer, and he was 
engaged as tutor to Mrs. Pirrie’s daughter at $60 a 
month. To further his ornithological pursuits it was 
understood that he and his companion should live at 
“Oakley,” her husband’s plantation, five miles from St. 
Francisville, on Bayou Sara, and that one-half of his 
time should be absolutely free for hunting and drawing. 
Thus, on June 18, 1821, was forged the link that 
bound the heart of Audubon to the State which was 
first in his affections, and which he would fain believe 
might have been the scene of his nativity. Well may 
the Louisianians of today adopt him as their son, for 
from that early time he cherished their State as in a pecu- 
liar sense his own. 
