312 ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG NATURALIST. 



" If it had not been for him," I said to my wife, " we should 

 have died ! " 



The brave Indian stooped and kissed the hands of his 

 mistress. 



My children, who had gone out for a few minutes, now hurst 

 into the room ; they had ransacked the basket, and were disputing 

 for poor Kougette, who was placed in the fountain in the garden. 

 Janet and Verdet, perched on the back of a chair, stammered 

 the names of Hortense and Emile, as well as could be hoped. 

 The two children became pale with pleasure and surprise. 



Just at this moment, Master Job, introduced by Gringalet, 

 came and sat down on the carpet, and allowed the children to 

 caress him. 



It was delightful to sit down to table, surrounded by all the 

 beings dearest to my heart. L'Encuerado kept praising Lucien, 

 who continued exciting his mother's emotion by relating to her 

 the principal incidents of our journey. 



" I am sure, mamma, that you will let me go with papa another 

 time % " said Lucien. " Our collection is not finished yet, and it 

 must be completed sooner or later." 



The young naturalist might be recognised in this question, for 

 the collector is ever insatiable. 



His poor mother shook her head, and embraced her boy with- 

 out replying. But her silence seemed to show that she would 

 not willingly expose her son to the perils of a fresh journey. 



THE END. 



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