A YOUNG NATURALIST. 39 



At last, we got out of this difficult locality. While all this 

 was going on, Gringalet, gravely squatting down upon his 

 haunches, seemed perfectly amazed at our efforts. Pricking up 

 his ears and winking his eyes, he quietly surveyed us ; no doubt 

 secretly congratulating himself upon being able to run and 

 gamble easily in places where we, less suitably constructed 

 bipeds, found it difficult even to walk. 



Here there were no trees to be seen. As on the evening before, 

 we traversed a granite surface soil which formed the ridge of the 

 mountain ; but a sudden turn in the path led us to a plateau, ©n 

 which stood a rudely-built hut. 



Three children ran away as we came near, and two lean dogs 

 began to prowl round Gringalet with anything but friendly 

 intentions. A goat, which was quietly cropping the scanty 

 grass, suddenly raised its head, and, cutting several capers, ran 

 with its head bent down, as if to butt our little companion. I 

 could not reach the spot in time to prevent this unforeseen 

 attack, nevertheless I shouted, in hopes of intimidating the 

 animal ; but Gringalet, who was far more nimble than I, boldly 

 faced the enemy, and soon forced him to retreat. 



" Weren't you afraid of him 1 " asked Sumichrast. 



" Rather," answered Lucien, hanging down his head. 



" Well, it did not prevent you facing the foe." 



" If I had run away, the goat, who runs a great deal faster 

 than I can, would soon have overtaken me. I waited for him, 

 so as to frighten him with my stick, and, if possible, avoid his 

 horns." 



"You could not have acted more sensibly. At all events 

 you 've plenty of coolness, and that is about the best quality a 

 traveller can show." 



" All right now, but in future I shall keep clear of goats. But 

 I thought they were afraid of men ! " 



" Not always, as you were very near finding out to your cost. 

 Perhaps, however," continued Sumichrast, smiling, " your enemy 

 did not look upon you quite as a man ; and, after all, I fancy he 

 thought more of playing with you than of hurting you, for he 

 must be thoroughly accustomed to the sight of children." 



