36 JOHN JAMES AUDUBON 
the people, and here the two parted 
company. Audubon purchased a fine 
horse and started over the prairies on 
his return trip to Hendersonville. 
On this journey he came near being 
murdered by a woman and her two des- 
perate sons who lived in a cabin on the 
prairies, where the traveller put up for 
the night. He has given a minute and 
graphic account of this adventure in his 
journal. 
The cupidity of the woman had been | 
aroused by the sight of Audubon’s gold 
watch and chain. A wounded Indian, 
who had also sought refuge in the shanty 
had put Audubon upon his guard. It 
was midnight, Audubon lay on some bear 
skins in one corner of the room, feign- 
ing sleep. He had previously slipped 
out of the cabin and had loaded his 
gun, which lay close at hand. Presently 
he saw the woman sharpen a huge carv- 
ing knife, and thrust it into the hand of 
her drunken son, with the injunction to 
