186 



THE ADVENTURES OF 



without complaint. The long - experienced traveller can 

 scarcely fail to be astonished at the delicate susceptibility 

 of his casing of flesh, which is bruised by blows, torn by 

 thorns, devoured by insects, and yet, day after day, the per- 

 severing man continues to face death under its most horri- 

 ble aspects — poison from venom of serpents, giddiness from 

 sun-stroke, blindness from the power of the moon, want of 

 sleep, hunger, and thirst. 



I had just taken a review of our situation when these 

 reflections were suggested to me. Halting, I permitted my 

 comrades to pass me ; their appearance, after so many days' 

 travel, I give. First, there was Sumichrast, tall and broad- 

 shouldered, his features displaying both mildness and 

 energy ; one arm in a sling, his clothes torn to shreds, and 

 his face furrowed by five or six deep scratches ; leaning on 

 a stick carried in his left hand, he seemed a little bent ; but 

 his vigorous form still told of abundant endurance and de- 

 termination. Behind him, his gun slung to his cross-belt, 

 came Lucien, slightly stooping, although his step was firm 

 and determined ; his face was seamed with scratches, his 

 hands bruised and brown from exposure. As he passed in 

 front of me, he smiled and gave a joyous hurrah, and lifted 

 his cap, beneath which his hair flowed down in golden curls. 

 Gringalet, now reconciled to the squirrels' skins, walked 

 close by his master ; truly he looked like standing more 

 work. Lastly, TEncuerado, his arms and legs bare, and 

 laden with guavas, brought up the rear. The brave Indian 

 tried to raise his straw-hat as he passed by me, his bony 

 visage expanded, and his smile showed a row of white teeth 

 which were worthy of competing with Gringalet's. Well 

 satisfied with my inspection, I shouldered my gun, and re- 

 sumed the head of the column. 



The cliffs of the ravine became gradually more wooded, 

 and the descent was effected without accident. I kept 



