484 



THE ADVENTURES OF 



So even before sunset, I mounted Lucien on my shoulder, 

 and we recommenced our journey. 



Twenty times I was forced to take breath, and twenty 

 times I struggled on again ; but happily the grass became 

 shorter, which was a good omen, and hope revived. 



Sumichrast now lifted up Lucien, and walked on with a 

 determined step. I took up Master Job, and followed 

 closely in his rear. "We heard a dull noise, and stopped to 

 listen. It was the report of a gun, and by-and-by we heard 

 a horse galloping, and then a well-known bark. 



" That's Gringalet," said Lucien. 



"Hiou! hiou ! hiou ! Chanito !" 



Our emotion scarcely allowed us to answer ; the Indian 

 sprang from his horse, and, running towards the child, 

 pressed him to his heart, and then, stretching out his arms, 

 fell senseless to the ground. I rushed towards him and 

 opened his gourd — it was full ! With the help of Sumi- 

 chrast I poured a few drops of brandy between his teeth. 

 He gradually regained his senses, and looked at us in sur- 

 prise. He was exhausted from hunger and fatigue. 



" If I had eaten or drunk," he said, simply, " I should 

 have wanted to go to sleep, and then what would have be- 

 come of you ? But my hunger and thirst spurred me on, 

 so that I have not lost a moment." 



"My good fellow!" I answered, " you ought to have 

 taken something to restore your strength; for if it had 

 failed, what would have become of us ?" 



L'Encuerado did not hear me ; he had just fallen into a 

 deep sleep, and we soon followed his example. When we 

 awoke, l'Encuerado mounted the steed he had brought, and, 

 taking Lucien up in front, led us back to the baggage. 



" Why did you start without letting us know ?" asked 

 Sumichrast. 



" Because you would have prevented me from following 



