26 



THE ADVENTURES OF 



which are higher than we are, of course first catch the rays 

 of the sun." 



The day broke, and a burning glow suffused the horizon ; 

 in a few minutes the sun rose and inundated us with light. 

 The birds began to chant their morning song, and the ea- 

 gles, careering from every mountain top, soared above our 

 heads. The sunbeams twinkled through the dew-drops, 

 and the grass of the prairie seemed decked with diamonds. 

 Black vultures, which soared even higher than the eagles 

 and the kites, traced out in the blue sky the immense curves 

 of their majestic flight. On every bush insects spread their 

 gauzy wings ; perhaps they felt that not a minute should 

 be lost by beings whose birth, life, and death are all com- 

 prised in one single day. 



" Oh !" cried Lucien, " as soon as we get home I shall 

 tell mamma how beautiful is sunrise ! Is it not a shame 

 that so many of .us sleep through the hour when this love- 

 ly prospect can only be enjoyed ?" 



I was obliged to cut short the little fellow's admiration — 

 an admiration I also shared. Each resumed his load ; and 

 now, in spite of the wind, we all felt eager to advance. 

 Gringalet, as glad as we were at the return of day, frisked 

 round Lucien, barking, jumping over ditches, and rolling 

 in the dust in his wild gambols. Our young companion 

 began imitating his frolics ; but I soon called him to order, 

 for our day's journey was to be as much as six to seven 

 leagues, and it was necessary to prevent Lucien fatiguing 

 himself unnecessarily. 



" You always go either too quickly or too slowly," said 

 Sumichrast to the boy ; " travellers, like soldiers, must walk 

 at a regular pace, so as to reach their halting-place with- 

 out more than necessary fatigue. Come — form in line ! 

 That's well; now, on we go !" 



Lucien measured his steps by those of his instructor. It 



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