A rOO'G yjLTCRALLST. 371 



Gringafet, quite as mistrustful as FEncaerado, ran off di- 

 rectly he saw the reptile move. I told Lncien to let the 

 snake go, and the Indian unsheathed his cutlass; bat I 

 would not allow him to injure the poor creature. 



Our new cook was perfect master of his art. He sup- 

 plied us with some excellent maize broth, roasted pigeons, 

 and then a rice-cake certainly rather shapeless, but of a 

 delicious flavor. The cherries completed this regal bin of 

 fare, and the -calumet of peace" was associated with a 

 cup of coffee, At nightf all, Somichrast,. voiding Locien's 

 questions, went slyly to rest, an example I was not slow in 

 following the weight of the basket having fatigued me 

 more than my pride allowed me to confess. 



The next day the rising sun found us already on the road. 

 I/Eocnerado's wound was leas painful, and did not prevent 

 bis using bis gun. Had it not been for my express pro- 

 hibition, he would have resumed his burden. When we 

 reached the summit of the bin, be fed us among the trees, 

 and, commencing a descent, our little party did not stop 

 tin we had reached the bottom of a dark and damp glen, 

 dose to a greenish pooL After utilizing oar halt by fitting 

 our gourds and killing an armadillo, we harried to get 

 away from a spot where the air seemed poisoned with pes- 

 tilential mian^ Having again ascended die slope, I ad- 

 vanced through a grove of firs, encouraging my friend with 

 the load, who was archly challenged to a race by Lucien. 



"That's not at all generous," said I to him ; if Sorni- 

 chrast did not carry the basket sometimes, what would be- 

 come of usr 



"Tin only sorry that I am not strong enough to help 

 you," replied the boy. "I only tease M. Sumicbrast be- 

 cause I know it amuses him, and makes him forget his 

 burden, when he wafts more easily." 



" Too never were more correct P* responded my friend. 



