A YOUNG NATURALIST. 



23 



" For what reason do you wish for daylight?" I asked. 



"Why? Because every one is asleep now, and none of 

 my friends will see me pass with my sword, my gourd, and 

 my game-pouch." 



" So you think that your travelling-costume would make 

 your companions envious? — that's not a kind feeling." 



" No, father ; I should like them to see me, certainly; but 

 I don't want to give pain to any one." 



We passed along the foot of Borrego, the mountain 

 which has become so famous, owing to the conflict which 

 took place there between sixty French soldiers and two 

 thousand Mexicans, and had just reached the gateway of 

 Angostura when a dog ran past, but soon returned, barking 

 and fawning upon us in every way. It was Gringalet, an 

 elegantly although strongly made greyhound, which had 

 been a companion of my boy's from infancy, l'Encuerado 

 having brought him up " by hand " for his young master. 

 Gringalet was an orphan from the time of his birth, and had 

 found in the Indian a most attentive foster-parent. Three 

 times a day he gave his adopted child milk through a piece 

 of rag tied over the neck of a bottle. The dog had grown 

 up by the side of his young master ; many a time, doubtless, 

 he had snatched from his hands the half-eaten cake, but such 

 casualties were only a temporary check upon their mutual 

 attachment. He manifested, therefore, a decided preference 

 for three objects — Lucien, his nurse, and bottles in general. 

 I was at first rather vexed that the poor beast should have 

 taken upon himself the liberty of joining our expedition, 

 so I tried to drive him back. Gringalet ran to take refuge 

 by the side of Lucien, with ears laid back, and one paw 

 raised ; and looked at me with such mild eyes, so full of sup- 

 plication, that I could not find it in my heart to carry out 

 my intention. Sumichrast and l'Encuerado both interceded 

 for the animal, which, crouching and wagging his tail, came 



