THE ADVENTURES OF 



" No, father ; I should like them to see me, certainly ; but I 

 don't want to give pain to any one." 



We passed along the foot of Borrego, the mountain which 

 has become so famous owing to the conflict which took place 

 there between sixty French soldiers and two thousand Mexicans, 

 and had just reached the gateway of Angostura, when a dog 

 ran past, but soon returned, barking and fawning upon us in 

 every way. It was Gringalet, an elegantly although strongly 

 made greyhound, which had been a companion of my boy's 

 from infancy, I'Encuerado having brought it up "by hand" for 

 his young master. Gringalet was an orphan from the time of 

 his birth, and had found in the Indian a most attentive foster- 

 parent. Three times a day he gave his adopted child milk 

 through a piece of rag tied over the neck of a bottle. The 

 dog had grown up by the side of its young master; many a 

 time, doubtless, it had snatched from his hands the half-eaten 

 cake, but such casualties had only a temporary check upon 

 their mutual attachment. It manifested, therefore, a decided 

 preference for three objects — Lucien, its nurse, and bottles in 

 general. I was at first rather vexed that the poor beast should 

 have taken upon itself the liberty of joining our expedition, so 

 I tried to drive it back. Gringalet ran to take refuge by the 

 side of Lucien ; with ears laid back, and one paw raised, and 

 looked at me with such mild eyes, so full of supplication, that 

 I could not find it in my heart to carry out my intention. 

 Sumichrast and I'Encuerado both interceded for the animal, 

 which, crouching and wagging its tail, came and lay down 

 humbly at my feet. Lucien, who was afraid I should behave 

 harshly to his favourite, hid his face in his hands. I was van- 

 quished. 



" Come along, then, and let us take Gringalet ! " I said. 



So I caressed the dog, which, clearly seeing that it had gained 

 its cause, bounded along the road with the most extravagant leaps, 

 clearly indicative of its emotions of pleasure. In spite of all his 

 efforts to keep them back, tears escaped from Lucien's eyes, and 

 I had to turn my head away to avoid having to recall the promise 

 he made to refrain from crying. But, nevertheless, although I 



