observed a gentleman on horseback close to our door. He looked
at me, came up, inquired if my name was AUDUBON, and on
being answered in the affirmative, instantly leaped from his
saddle, shook me most cordially by the hand—there is much to
be expressed and understood by a shake of the hand—and questioned
me in so kind a manner, that I for a while felt doubtful
how to reply. At his urgent desire, I removed to his house, as
did my assistants. Suitable apartments were assigned to us,
and once introduced to the lovely and interesting group that
composed his family, I seldom passed a day without enjoying
their society. Servants, carriages, horses, and dogs, were all at
our command, and friends accompanied us to the woods and
plantations, and formed parties for water excursions. Before I
left Charleston, I was truly sensible of the noble and generous
spirit of the hospitable Carolinians.
Having sailed for the Floridas, we, after some delay, occasioned
by adverse winds, put into a harbour near St Simon's
Island, where I was so fortunate as to meet with THOMAS
BUTLER KING, Esq. who, after replenishing our provisionstores,
subscribed to the " Birds of America." At length we
were safely landed at St Augustine, and commenced our investigation.
Of my sojourn in Florida, during the winter of
1831-32, you will find some account in this volume. Returning
to Charleston, we passed through Savannah, respecting my
short stay in which city you will also find some particulars in
the sequel. At Charleston we lived with my friend BACHMAN,
and continued our occupations. In the beginning of
April, through the influence of letters from the Honourable
LEWIS M'LEAN, of the Treasury Department, and the prompt
his wondrous works, grant me the means of proving to my country
the devotedness with which I strive to render myself not
unworthy of her!
We now proceeded swiftly down the broad Chesapeak Bay,
reached Norfolk, and removing into another steamer bound to
the capital of Virginia, soon arrived at Richmond. Having
made acquaintance, many years before, in Kentucky, with the
governor of that State, the Honourable JOHN FLOYD, I went
directly to him, was received in the kindest manner, and furnished
with letters of introduction ; after which we proceeded
southward until we arrived at Charleston in South Carolina. It
was there that I formed an acquaintance, now matured into a
highly valued friendship, with the Rev. JOHN BACHMAN, a
proficient in general science, and in particular in zoology and
botany, and one whose name you will often meet with in the
course of my biographies. But I cannot refrain from describing
to you my first interview with this generous friend, and mentioning
a few of the many pleasures I enjoyed under his hospitable
roof, and in the company of his most interesting family
and connections.
It was late in the afternoon when we took our lodgings in
Charleston. Being fatigued, and having written the substance
of my journey to my family, and delivered a letter to the Rev.
Mr GILMAN, I retired to rest. At the first glimpse of day the
following morning, my assistants and myself were already several
miles from the city, commencing our search in the fields and
woods, and having procured abundance of subjects both for the
pencil and the scalpel, we returned home, covered with mud, and
so accoutred as to draw towards us the attention of every person
in the streets. As we approached the boarding house, I