A YOUNG NATURALIST. 173 



immense moths, and yet always avoiding them, we had ample 

 opportunity for observing the precision of their flight. At length, 

 stunned by the shrill cries, I again proposed to beat a retreat, 

 but Sumichrast insisted upon continuing our search. He urged 

 that the bats, who went out every night into the open air to seek 

 their food, would not be likely to follow the narrow winding path 

 we had followed; there must therefore be some other outlet. 

 My friend and I'Encuerado set off in search of it ; but I did not 

 dare to venture farther with my boy over the damp and sticky 

 ground. Our two scouts, however, climbed some enormous 

 heaps of rock many feet above us ; and we suddenly lost sight of 

 them. 



The bats still swarmed round us, pushing their familiarity 

 so far as to brush us with their wings. My prudence rather 

 vexed Lucien, who had become very intrepid. After about five 

 minutes, Sumichrast's voice summoned us, and we bent our steps 

 towards the heap of rocks which had been scaled by our com- 

 panions. 



The ascent was difficult, and in spite of remonstrances, I would 

 not let go Lucien's hand. Fortunately I did not do so, for sud- 

 denly he slipped, and while trying to save him, I dropped my 

 torch ; and there we were, perched up on this pile of dihris, in 

 utter darkness. 



" Don't move ! " I cried ; " you know that we are surrounded 

 by precipices." 



" How dark it is ! One might fancy that the darkness was 

 solid, and weighed down upon our eyes." 



" The fact is, that we are in a darkness in which the light 

 does not penetrate, even by reflection, and, like you, I could 

 readily fancy that I was blindfolded. Call I'Encuerado." 



The vaulted roof above us re-echoed the name of the Indian, 

 who immediately replied. 



The bats now ceased their flight; but when the light re- 

 appeared, the uproar began afresh. Lucien related our accident 

 to his friend, who, in his hurry to come to our rescue, fell several 

 times over the rocks. At last he reached us, and lighting our 

 torches, he guided us over the dangerous ground. When we cleared 



