A YOUNG NATURALIST. 31 



For my part, I was more inclined to recognise Grod's goodness 

 in I'Encuerado's almost miraculous preservation. As to the basket, 

 the Indian had tied it up so strongly, that I was not at all sur- 

 prised to find that our pro\dsions were uninjured. 



" Give a call-cry," said I to the Indian ; " Sumichrast cannot 

 see us, and may think that you are killed." 



" Chanito, hiou, hiou, hiou, Chanito ! " 



'■ Ohe ! ohe ! " replied Lucien. 



And the boy, looking pale and alarmed, almost immediately 

 made his appearance. He rushed up to his friend, threw his arms 

 round his neck, and embraced him. The brave Mistec, who had 

 been but little injured by his terrible descent, could not help 

 weeping at this proof of Lucien's attachment. 



" It was nothing but a joke," he said. " You '11 see me perform 

 many a feat like that." 



'' Your face is all over with blood ! " 



"That's a mere joke, too. Would you like me to do it 

 again ? " 



" No, no ! " cried the child, catching the Indian by the jacket. 



I dressed I'Encuerado's hurts, and we were about to contiime 

 our journey. 



" I say," said Lucien, archly, just as the Indian was hoisting 

 his basket on to his back ; " how would it have been if I had 

 been perched on it ? " 



" Then I should not have fallen," repHed I'Encuerado, with the 

 utmost gravity. 



In a minute or two more we were at the foot of the mountain, 

 when Lucien, overjoyed that the descent was accomplished, gave 

 a leap which showed me that the back of his trousers had 

 suffered in the late struggle. 



" There 's a pretty beginning," I cried ; " how did you manage 

 to get your trousers in that state ? " 



" It is my fault," said Sumichrast, with consternation ; " wish- 

 ing to descend more rapidly, and fearing another tumble, I 

 advised him to sit down and slide carefully. I did not foresee 

 the very natural results of such a plan." 



" Well, papa ! it does not matter in the country." 



