A YOUNG NATURALIST. 305 



might change their position, a new arrangement of our covering 

 gave us more shelter, and soon once more all were asleep ; but in 

 the short intervening time Lucien began to repeat to the parrots 

 the names of Hortense and Emile. 



At midnight, I'Encuerado shouldered his load and took the 

 lead. The second night passed like the first, and we travelled 

 at least eight leagues. 



Our third night was interrupted by five or six halts, but we 

 plodded on till dawn. At the first gleam of light, I examined the 

 horizon ; — there was nothing but bluish-looking mountains to the 

 right, and in every other direction only the gloomy and deserted 

 plain. On this day we had to be satisfied with maize-cakes ; but 

 the hope of at length reaching the woods cheered every one. 



"One night more," said I'Encuerado and Sumichrast, "and 

 then we shall have rest and abundance." 



The fourth day's march was much more wearisome, especially 

 to poor Lucien, who, still uncomplaining, yet commenced to limp 

 dreadfully. 



The day broke, and I again examined the horizon, but could 

 see nothing except the sky and grass. 



"I am afraid we are not going the right way,'' I said to 

 I'Encuerado. " G-od grant we have not been walking at random 

 for these three days." 



The Indian stood up on his basket, and carefully examined the 

 outline of the mountains. 



" We are in the right path," said he, positively; " the savannah 

 is very wide, that is all" 



L'Encuerado's assurances only half convinced me. Lucien's feet 

 were so covered with blisters, that he could scarcely put them 

 to the ground. Unexpectedly I discovered that he was weeping 

 silently ; so I took him up in my arms, when he soon fell asleep. 



In this emergency, I'Encuerado, with the straps and poles of 

 our tent, managed to make a kind of litter, upon which we placed 

 the boy. Sumichrast helped me to carry him, and though we 

 had to stop hundreds of times to rest our arms, still we accom- 

 plished several leagues. The day had scarcely begun to dawn, 

 when J again examined the horizon; — alas ! nothing was changed, 



