THE ADVENTURES OF 



discovering the least trace of our resting-place. It became im- 

 portant that we should soon find our starting-point. I noticed 

 that G-ringalet, instead of gambling round us as he generally did, 

 remained behind, pricking up his ears, and appearing excessively- 

 knowing. 



" What do you think, shall we take Gringalet for our guide ?" 

 said I. 



As soon as the animal heard his name mentioned, he rushed 

 toward me, and I patted him. 



" Come, tell your dog to lead us to the bivouac," I said to 

 Lucien. 



" To the bivouac ! to the bivouac !" cried the boy, patting the 

 animal. 



Gringalet really seemed to understand, for he sniffed up the 

 air, and at once went to the front. I soon discovered that he 

 was taking us back by a very circuitous path. 



" To the bivouac ! to the bivouac ! " 



Gradually the noise of the torrent became more distinct, and 

 our guide plunged into the brushwood. While we were cutting 

 down the branches that stopped up our path, Gringalet waited 

 with his ears pricked up and one foot uplifted. At last we 

 caught sight of the hut, which was greeted with such pleasure 

 and relief as only known by fatigued travellers. 



It was not without emotion that I again beheld this spot, to 

 which I had, as I thought, said good-bye for ever. The scarcely 

 extinguished embers, and the shelter which we had raised, had 

 quite a home-like appearance. Sumichrast said he felt the same 

 impression, and Lucien declared that his first idea had been that 

 we should find an Indian in the hut. 



But what about Gringalet ? Had he then really understood 

 us % Those who have made a trial of canine intelligence will not 

 doubt the fact for a moment. The word bivouac, having been so 

 often pronounced since we set out, must have struck both the 

 mind and the ears of the animal, so as to have become almost 

 synonymous in his ideas with dinner and rest. 



The next day at sun-rise we set out, gently ascending the 

 course of the stream. Sumichrast's hand was still in pain, and 



