THE WILD BOAR. 9*7 



I found out lie wanted them to hasten their steps, and it 

 seemed as if during the conversation he was looking at mo 

 the whole time. He was soon joined by the remainder of 

 the troop, who, stopping beside their chief in the path, were 

 so near me that I had only to stretch out my arm to touch 

 them. 



I counted them ; there were fifteen. It is useless to say 

 that I renounced my plan of attack, and only thought how 

 to withdraw from the business in case I should be discovered. 



Happily for me, the one who appeared to command the 

 band, took up his line of march, and was followed by all the 

 company. 



Any one can understand how immeasurably long the 

 defile of these fifteen men appeared to me, and I confess 

 I felt considerably relieved when the last one had disappeared 

 beneath the woods. 



However, my comrade was now in the same danger, and 

 I could not warn him of it. In order to be ready, in case my 

 help should be needed, I left my hiding-place, and carefully 

 followed the path without losing sight of the Arabs, who, to 

 my great joy, passed by the side of Rousselet without seeing 

 him, and on toward the fort. 



They had scarcely passed the bush in which Rousselet was 

 hidden, before I saw this brave fellow hasten forward to find 

 out what had become of me. 



After having pressed his hand and explained in a few 

 words what had passed, we entered the woods to avoid a 

 second meeting, and awaited the day-dawn before regaining 

 the camp 



5 



