54 



THE ADVENTURES OF 



cries. They sprang from branch to branch with the most extra- 

 ordinary disreg3,rd to distance. We noticed them running after 

 one another, sometimes along the top, and sometimes along the 

 bottom of the most flexible boughs. They moved forward as if 

 in jerks, sometimes stopping suddenly and chmbing a tree, only 

 to descend it again. When on the ground, they sat up on their 

 hind legs, using their front paws like hands, rubbed their noses 

 with such a comical air, that Lucien could not help speaking 

 loud to express his admiration of them. 



Hearing so strange a sound as the human voice, the graceful 

 animals took flight, but not quick enough to prevent Sumichrast's 



gun from wounding one of them. The squirrel remained at first 

 clinging to the tree on which it was when the shot struck it ; 

 but, after a pause, it relaxed its hold and rolled over and fell to 

 the ground. Nevertheless, it had strength enough left to turn 

 round and bite the sportsman, who carelessly laid hold of him. 

 L'Encuerado skinned it immediately, keeping the meat for our 

 breakfast next morning. 



The sun went down ; the cries of the birds resounded, and 



