30 THE ADVENTURES OF 



to descend the other side. I took Lucien by the hand, for the 

 slope was so steep that it needed the utmost care to avoid roll- 

 ing down over the naked rocks. Several times I slipped, and 

 scratched my legs among the bushes. Sumichrast, who had 

 taken his turn in looking after the boy, was no better off than 

 myself. The descent was so steep that we were often forced 

 to run, and sometimes the only thing possible to retard our 

 impetus was to fall down, and run the risk of being hurt. 

 Therefore, in spite of Lucien's promise to walk prudently, and 

 with measured step, I declined to allow him to go alone. We 

 at last, to our great satisfaction, got over about two-thirds 

 without any accident, when I'Encuerado, losing his equilibrium, 

 fell, turning head over heels several times ; the basket and its 

 bearer chasing one another down the hill, finally disappearing 

 into a thicket. 



" Look after Lucien," I said to my companion, who was a 

 few paces in front. And I dashed forward anxiously to assist 

 I'Encuerado. 



I feared that I should find the unfortunate Indian with some 

 of his bones broken, even if not killed ; so I called to him, 

 when he replied almost immediately ; but his voice sounded 

 not from below, but from a spot a little to my left. I could 

 not stay my rapid course except by grasping a tuft of brush- 

 wood, to which I hung. Then, turning towards the left, I soon 

 encountered the Mistec, who had already begun to collect his 

 burden. 



" Nothing broken r' I asked. 



"No, Tatita; all the bottles are safe." 



" It 's your limbs that I mean, my poor fellow ! " 



" Oh ! my nose and arms are a little scratched, and my body 

 is rather knocked about ; but there 's not a single rent either in 

 my jacket or breeches," added he, looking with complacency at 

 the leathern garments which had given him the name of I'En- 

 cuerado. 



" Well, you have had a narrow escape.'' 



" Oh ! senor, God is good ! In spite of the basket-work case, the 

 bottles might have been broken, and they are not the least hurt." 



