3o6 ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG NATURALIST. 



and the only things I saw were flocks of black vultures, which 

 are not generally regarded as a happy omen. 



Owing to an accident by which our reserve gourd was burst, 

 and the contents spilt, we were tormented by thirst, and the only 

 food we had to eat only half restored our rapidly-failing strength. 

 In another day all our maize-cakes would be exhausted, and the 

 rice was of no use without water. Fatigue gradually dispelled 

 these gloomy thoughts, and we fell asleep. 



I awoke about four o'clock in the afternoon, and was dis- 

 mayed to find that I'Enouerado had deserted us, accompanied 

 by Gringalet. 



Having passed a whole night in useless waiting, hoping for his 

 reappearing, we resolved to pursue our journey. So we put all 

 the baggage into one heap, and set Janet and Verdet at liberty, 

 leaving them the sack of rice which we could not carry. Then, 

 loaded with our guns and gourds — alas ! almost empty — we pre- 

 pared to start on our journey without having the courage to un- 

 deceive Lucien, who thought we were going to meet his friend. 



At last, having examined the horizon carefully, I placed Master 

 Job on my shoulder, and led by Sumichrast, Lucien being borne 

 between us, we pursued our course. 



