A YOUNG NATURALIST. 83 



distant sounds, either the crow of a cock, the barking of a 

 clog, or the burden of some familiar song. 



"But if no one can discover our bivouac," remarked Lu- 

 cien, casting a glance behind him, " how shall we manage to 

 find it again ?" 



" In a way that is simple, but rather laborious ; we shall 

 walk one after the otllfcr, and the last man's duty will be to 

 notch the trees and shrubs.' 5 



" Shall I walk first ?" asked Lucien. 



" No ; that place belongs by right to the best shot ; for 

 if we put up any game, we mustn't let it escape. In the 

 mean time, until you know how to use your gun, you shall 

 form the rear-guard." 



This duty did not seem to displease Lucien, who immedi- 

 ately seized his sword and followed us, at a little distance, 

 inflicting on the trunks of the trees the gashes which were 

 to guide us on our return. He performed his work with 

 so much ardor that his strength was soon exhausted. 

 L'Encuerado afterwards taught him how to handle his 

 weapon in a more skillful manner, and to notch the trees 

 without stopping in his walk. A path marked in this man- 

 ner is called, in Canada and the United States, a blaze road. 



We now entered one of those glades which are so often 

 met with in the midst of a virgin forest, although it is im- 

 possible to explain the cause why the trees do not grow 

 just in these spots. As there was no living creature to be 

 seen, I agreed with Sumichrast to leave Lucien and l'En- 

 cuerado on the watch, and that we should walk round, each 

 on our own side, so as to meet again at the other extremity 

 of the open space. Gringalet, seeing us separate, could not 

 at first make up his mind which party he should go with ; 

 but bounded from one to the other, and caressed each of us, 

 raising plaintive whines. At last he seemed determined to 

 follow me, but scarcely had I progressed a hundred yards 



