A YOUNG NATURALIST. 55 



night at last shut us in, bringing with it the solemn silence of 

 the wilderness. L'Encuerado struck up a prolonged chant, and 

 Lucien's fresh young voice blended with that of the hunter. 

 The tune was simple and monotonous in its character ; but there 

 was something touching in hearing the Indian and the child, 

 both equally artless in mind, uniting together to sing the praises 

 of God. The chant was ended by a prayer, which Sumichrast 

 and I listened to, standing up, with our heads bared ; and it was 

 with earnestness that my friend repeated I'Encuerado's solemn 

 " Amen," expressed in the words, " God is great." 



Having fed the fire with sufficient to keep it up all night, we 

 laid down, side by side, under the hut. The wind moaned softly 

 through the foliage, and, under the influence of the gentle breeze, 

 the pine-trees produced that melancholy sound which so exactly 

 calls to mind the noise of the surf breaking on the shore. By 

 means of thinking of it, I felt it even in my sleep, for I dreamt 

 that I was at sea, and that the vessel that bore me was saihng 

 over silvery waters. 



