Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-03-20
JVo. 9G.
Extract from "a Journey up the Mississippi, by ].
J. Audubon, author Of The Birds of America

Extract from a Journey up the Mississippi, by ].
j. Audubon, author Of The Birds of America
On the second morning after our arrival, heard
movement in the Indian camp, and having hastily
risen and dressed myself, discovered that canoe
containing half dosen squaws and as many hunters
about to leave Illinois, for the Tennessee side
of the river learned also that their object was to-
proceed to a large lake opposite, to which immense
focks OF swans resorted every morning. -These
Aocks numerous and strong, that it Isl how
ever incredible it may at first seem, well known
fact, that they keep the lakes which they fequent
free from ice, merely by swimming upon them night
and day. Having obtained permission to join the
party, seated myself in the canoe, while supplied
with ammunition and bottle Of whiskey-in few
moments the paddles were at work, and we swiftly
crossed to the opposite shore was not astonshed,
during passage, to see all the labour of padding
performed by the squaws for this feature OF Indian
manners was not new to me but was surprised
to see upon entering the the hunters laid down
and positively sleep during the whole passage. On
landing. the squaws, after securing the boat, pro-
ceeded to search for huts, whilst the gentlemen hun
tiers made the best of their way through the thick
and thin,' to the lake.
Those who have never seen any thing of what
call thick and thin may perhaps think aude to
something like the iuiZe which cover the iu.1rs OF
Scotland-but they musl imagine the shores Of the
Ohio, at its junction with the great muddy river cal
led the Mississippi to be fairly oyergro"n with
kind of thickse cotton trees that rise closely
from the muddy soil of the bank as can well be con-
lcelved-they not to be beaten down you must
slide yourself between them-and in summer you
have pretty task to keep off the mosquitoes that
abound amongst them After these thickets there
are small Nasty lagoons which You must either swim
across, jump over, or leap into and be drowned,
cording to your taste or capabty but when the
task oil reaching the lake is accomplished a
feast for sportsman? There they lie. by hundreds
of white Or rich cream coour-either dipping their
black bills into the water, or leaning backwards,
and gently resting with one leg expanded, floating
along and basking in the sunshine. The moment
that these beautiful birds our ydcttcs they star
ted up in immediate apprehension but the plan OF
the Indians drove the poor swans the nearer to their
fate, the farther they retreated from either shore.
Men were placed behind the trees who knew how TO
, take dead aim, and every shot told. Being dvi-
o ded, three on side, and four the other. the
, former hid themselves, and when the birds few
from the fire of the latter, they alighted within good
distance of those who had first alarmed them.
What would those English sportsmen--w'lo, at.
ter walking whole day. and exploding pound Of
powder, march home in great glee, holding par.
fridge by the legs. with smile on their lips and a
very empty stomach-say to this days devastation
among the swans | these beautiful birds
Coating on the water. their backs downwards, their
heads under the surface and their legs i'll the air.
stru Ing in the last agonies of lite, to the number
of 5O--their beautiful skins all intended for the la
> dies of Europe
:, The sport was now over-the sun was nearly even
with the tops of the trees conch was sounded.
Il and after while the squaws appeared, dragging
the canoe. and moving about in quest Of dead game
1t at last all transported to the rivers edge, and
we were landed on the Illinois bank again before
II dark. The fires lighed-each man eat his
of pecan nuts and bears fat. and then stretch
ed himself out, with his feet close othe small heap
d of coal intended for the night. The females then
$ began their work lit their duty to skin the birds
IS observed them for some time and then retired TO
e very well satisfied with the sports Of this day.
T, the 25ih of December.