424 THE ADVENTURES OF 



We now took the road leading to the " Palm-tree Villa," 

 and 1'Encuerado went on before us to take up his fishing- 

 lines. 



The heat became perfectly overpowering, and Sumichrast 

 fell asleep. About half-past three, I went off with Lucien 

 towards that portion of the forest close by the stream, with 

 the intention of collecting insects. First one object and 

 then another tempted us into the interior, till the oblique 

 rays of the sun admonished us to turn back. But imagine 

 my dismay when, by neglect not to notch the tree-trunks as 

 I passed them, I discovered I did not know in what direc- 

 tion our camp lay. 



" Are we lost ?" asked the boy, in an anxious tone. 



" We have gone too far," said I to the lad ; " and per- 

 haps we shall not be able to get back to the ' Palm-tree Vil- 

 la' this evening. I am going to fire off my gun to attract 

 PEncuerado's attention." 



The report resounded. I listened with an anxiety which 

 increased when I perceived that I had only three cartridges 

 left, and Lucien only retained two charges. 



" You had better shoot now," said I to the lad, " so that 

 1'Encuerado may understand that we are signalling to him." 



I again listened almost breathlessly, but in vain. 



" We must rest here without our supper," said I, with a 

 gayety I was far from feeling ; " if we go on walking, we 

 might lose ourselves." 



After cutting some fagots and making a fire in a semi- 

 circle round a tree I lay down, with my dear companion be- 

 side me ; and, though I tried hard to conceal it, I could not 

 but feel the gloomiest forebodings. 



About -midnight the breeze calmed down, and I closed 

 my eyes that I might the better hear the slightest noise. 

 Several times I thought I caught the faintest vibrations of 

 a dull sound ; but I ultimately attributed these noises to 



