A YOUNG NATURALIST. 157 



the dry branches off, a task in which I helped him. Sunset 

 surprised us ere we had finished our labor. The waters of 

 the lake assumed a dark hue, and the mountain peaks to- 

 wards the setting sun furrowed the sky with their strange- 

 ly irregular outlines, and the breeze resounding through the 

 pine-trees produced a solemn and grave chant, a peculiarity 

 which has doubtless given to this species of tree the name 

 of Pinus religiosus. As the rays of the sun died away 

 and the ctark shadows covered the sky, the silence became 

 still more profound. Suddenly the last rays of the lumi- 

 nary vanished ; the gathering darkness imbued us with an 

 emotion which those only can understand who, like us, had 

 found themselves face to face with some of the grandest 

 emanations from the Creator's hands. 



Lucien, too, was subject to the influence of the twofold 

 majesty of darkness and solitude ; he was speechless, and 

 looked by turns both at the earth and the sky. The stars 

 appeared glittering in the blue heaven, and were reflected 

 on the motionless surface of the neighboring water. Sud- 

 denly a luminous ray seemed to dance over the lake, and 

 then to divide into a shower of sparks. It w r as the reflec- 

 tion of our fire, to w r hich PEncuerado had just set a light. 



The piercing cold was excessively trying: our sarapes 

 did not seem sufficient to protect us from its influence. 

 Fortunately w T e had obtained fuel enough to keep up the 

 bivouac fire all night. Our meal, although without meat, 

 was a cheerful one. Each in turn retired to his pine-leaf 

 couch ; and soon I alone remained up, not feeling an incli- 

 nation for slumber. 



What a contrast it was ! The night before, at this time, 

 we were deafened by the uproarious wind, and the forests 

 echoed with its fearful effects ; while we, perfectly helpless, 

 sheltered behind a trembling stone, could scarcely breathe 

 the burning air. Twenty-four hours had hardly elapsed, 



