A YOUNG NATURALIST, 



451 



This sound took a weight off my mind, for I could not 

 but feel alarmed for the safety of l'Encuerado. 



" Ohe ! ohe !" was responded. # 



Gringalet, who was let loose, ran towards the enormous 

 creature, and barked at it from a safe distance. The Indian 

 came up, with his gun upon his shoulder. 



" The beast is justly mine, isn't it, Tatita, and I am still 

 the tiger-hunter ?" 



" Yes," I replied ; " but let the tigers alone, if they will 

 allow you, and let us go to rest." 



We were all going to lie down, when the roar of a tiger 

 again shook the*air. 



" Hallo !" cried my friend ; " is your beast come to life 

 again ?" 



"No, Tatita Sumichrast; but my tiger is a tigress, and 

 her mate is come to see after her." 

 I told the Indian not to move. 



" Let him do as he likes," said my companion ; " he will 

 only disobey you." 



Half an hour elapsed ; all was profound silence, and we 

 could hear the slightest rustling of the leaves. Suddenly 

 there was the report of a gun, and, five minutes afterwards, 

 we greeted with " bravos " the triumphant " Hiou ! hiou !" 

 of the Indian, who, streaming with water, came to dry him- 

 self at the fire. 



" I was obliged to ford the stream," he said ; " but his 

 lordship has got the ball between his two eyes this time." 



" You are a brave fellow," responded Sumichrast, shak- 

 ing hands with him. 



" Now I shall sleep quietly," the Indian whispered to 

 Lucien. 



Master Job, Gringalet, Janet, and Verdet, all had their 

 eyes wide open when I awoke at day-break. Lucien rose 

 just as I was starting for the water's edge and accompa- 

 nied me. 



