JOHN JAMES AUDUBON 21 
Audubon became uneasy lest his son be 
drafted into the French army ; hence he 
resolved to send him back to America. 
In the meantime, he interested one 
Rozier in the lead mine and had formed 
a partnership between him and his son, 
to run for nine years. In due course the 
two young men sailed for New York, 
leaving France at a time when thousands 
would have been glad to have followed 
their footsteps. ‘i 
On this voyage their vessel was pursued 
and overhauled by a British privateer, 
the Rattlesnake, and nearly all their money 
and eatables were carried off, besides two 
of the ship’s best sailors. Audubon and 
Rozier saved their gold by hiding it under 
a cable in the bow of the ship. 
On returning to Mill Grove, Audubon 
resumed his former habits of life there. 
We hear no more of the lead mine, but 
more of his bird studies and drawings, 
the love of which was fast becoming 
his ruling passion. ‘‘ Before I sailed 
