A YOUNG NATURALIST. 243 



" But it will hurt you with its sting." 



" It has no sting, there is no danger to be feared from its 

 tongue. Here, you take hold of it." 



The boy hesitated at first, but gradually growing bolder, 

 allowed the snake to wind round his arm. "When close by the 

 fire, he held it out to I'Encuerado, who shrank back ; for he fully 

 believed all reptiles to be venomous. Lucien in vain urged him 

 to handle it. 



" I shan't mind touching it," he said, " when you have told me 

 the words you say to make yourself invulnerable." 



" I am no more invulnerable than you are,'' replied Lucien, 

 smihng. " This snake is quite harmless, and I should never 

 touch one without taking papa's advice, even if it exactly re- 

 sembled this." 



" And you didn't repeat any words ? " 



"No ; papa had it in his hands, and it coiled round his arm." 

 " I understand, then," murmured the Indian ; " it is the ser- 

 pent that is charmed." 



G-ringalet, quite as mistrustful as I'Encuerado, ran off directly 

 he saw the reptile move. I told Lucien to let the snake go, and 

 the Indian unsheathed his cutlass ; but I would not allow him 

 to injure the poor creature. 



Our new cook was perfect master of his art. He supplied us 

 with some excellent maize-broth, roasted pigeons, and then a rice- 

 cake— certainly rather shapeless, but of a delicious flavour. The 

 cherries completed this regal bill of fare, and the " calumet of 

 peace " was associated with a cup of coffee. At night-fall, Sumi- 

 chrast, avoiding Lucien's questions, went slyly to rest, an example 

 I was not slow in following— the weight of the basket having 

 fatigued me more than my pride allowed me to confess. 



The next day, the rising sun found us already on the road. 

 L'Encuerado's wound was less painful, and did not prevent his 

 using his gun. Had it not been for my express prohibition, he 

 would have resumed his burden. When we reached the summit 

 of the hill, he led us among the trees, and, commencing a descent, 

 our little party did not stop till we had reached the bottom of a 

 dark and damp glen, close to a greenish pool. After utilising 



