A YOUNG NATUMAL1ST. 103 



howl, which was answered by the shrill prolonged cries of 

 the coyotas, or jackal of Mexico. 



" So these miserable brutes think they are going to 

 frighten us ?" cried 1'Encuerado. 



And while we were making up the fire, the Indian rush- 

 ed off into the darkness. 



" Are they wolves, M. Sumichrast ?" asked Lucien, anx- 

 iously. 



" Yes, my boy, but only prairie wolves," he answered. 



" Do you think that they will first devour 1'Encuerado, 

 and then attack us ?" 



" You needn't be frightened ; courage is not one of their 

 virtues. Unless they were starving, they wouldn't venture 

 near us." 



All at once we heard a shot. The whole forest seemed 

 in movement ; the cries of the birds resounded through the 

 trees, and the echoes repeated the noise of the report. 

 Gringalet barked loudly, and was again answered by the 

 harsh cry of the coyotas. At length the silence, which for 

 a short time had been disturbed, was once more restored, 

 and the forest resumed its solemn stillness. 



