A YOUNG NATURALIST. 



75 



Lucien said good-bye to his little companions, and I thank- 

 ed the Indian women for all their attention to us. Our 

 host, however, accompanied us to the summit of the mount- 

 ain. 



There we found ourselves in a vast amphitheatre, com- 

 manded on all sides by wooded ridges; at our feet stretch- 

 ed the plateau we had just crossed, and far beneath us we 

 caught indistinct glimpses of the plain below. Behind us 

 opened a dark, narrow ravine, with perpendicular sides, al- 

 most like an immense wall. Above us was the pale blue 

 sky, dotted over with vultures. 



On the verge of the forest our guide parted from us with 

 regret, and wished us a successful journey. Sumichrast 

 loaded Lucien's gun, and told him to fire it off as a salute 

 on our entering the wilderness. The shot was fired, the 

 echoes reverberating in succession, each louder than the 

 last ; then all was once more silent. After casting a last 

 look over the valley, I was the first to make my way into 

 the forest. From this moment we had only God's provi- 

 dence and our own exertions to trust to ; for every step we 

 advanced only took us farther from the haunts of men. 



