A YOUNG NATURALIST 



143 



eyes were so red and swollen that we were perfectly disfig- 

 ured. 



" Oh, father, I am so tired !" said Lucien to me. 



" So we all are, my poor boy ; but we must pluck up our 

 spirits again, and keep on walking, for our lives depend 

 on it." 



" Father, I am so thirsty ! and the water left in my 

 gourd is quite warm." 



"It will be better for you not to drink; for a few 

 draughts of water taken when walking increase perspira- 

 tion, and make the thirst worse, instead of quenching it." 



The poor little fellow heaved a sigh, and crept closer to 

 my friend, who advised him to place in his mouth a small 

 pebble, which alleviates thirst by exciting salivation. 



In spite of all our exertions, we made little or no ad- 

 vance, and a profuse perspiration added to our exhaustion. 

 Fortunately, every thing seemed to indicate that the tem- 

 pest was over. L'Encuerado led the way ; his manner ap- 

 peared as if searching for something. At length I saw 

 him throw down his load and plunge into the thicket. 

 Soon he reappeared, with his hands full of a kind of mul- 

 berry, the fruit of the sarsaparilla, the acid flavor of which 

 much revived Lucien. We now understood TEncuerado's 

 peculiar way of walking. He fancied he had noticed a 

 young shoot of this plant, and at first concealed the discov- 

 ery from us, fearing some deception. I can hardly describe 

 the pleasure that was afforded us by obtaining these ber- 

 ries in such a welcome time. This shrub, with its vine-like 

 and thorny stalk, abounded on the steep slope. 



We resumed our march in much better spirits, thanks to 

 this God-send. L'Encuerado filled his cap w^ith them, and 

 walked on bravely, with his head bare. Another half-hour's 

 climbing brought us to the verge of the forest. Suddenly 

 I lost sight - of Gringalet. I called him several times, and 



