60 ‘© PRATHERED TO THE HEEL.”

the number ; “ there,” he added, pointing to a huge
pile of blankets and fur, which, stretched upon one
of the benches, looked like the substantial bale of
some trader. ‘“ What! ¢hat Mr Audubon!” ex-
claimed the travellers, whose names were at that
moment called out by the captain as entitled to the
first choice of berths. This privilege they now
gladly renounced in favour of Audubon. There-
upon the green ball stirred a little, half turned
upon its narrow resting-place, after awhile sat
erect, and showed that there was a man inside of it.
A patriarchal beard fell white and wavy down his
breast ; a pair of hawk-like eyes gleamed sharply
out from the frizzy shroud of cap and collar. With
a thrill of irrepressible interest the travellers ap-
proached. The moment they caught sight of that
fine expressive face, they knew it could be none but
he. Audubon it was, in this wilderness garb, hale
and alert, with sixty winters on his shoulders, and,
like one of his old eagles, ‘‘ feathered to the heel.”
Before long, he delighted them with relating
_ his exploits, discoveries, and experiences. Some-
what silent in general, his conversation was impul-
sive and fragmentary, and a ‘‘ mellow Gallic idiom”
marked his speech.

When on shore, he speedily outstripped his
younger companions in walking, while the clearness
and strength of his vision were truly amazing.