makes
him forget his burden, then he walks more easily."

"You never were more correct!" responded my friend, "I certainly
fancied you were indulging your own humor without thinking about me."

A fresh ascent quite exhausted us, and Sumichrast vowed that he must
relinquish the basket until the next day. I then took it; but in a very
little time I was compelled to take the same resolution as my friend, so
we settled down to bivouac.

While my companions were engaged in the cooking, I walked a little way
on the plateau. I had not gone above two or three hundred yards before I
called to the others to join me; for the _Terre-Chaude_ was stretched
out at my foot.

Departing day at last cast its mysterious veil over the tracts we were
about to traverse. Just before it became quite dark, a snow-clad corner
of the volcano of Orizava was seen in the distance. I lifted up Lucien,
and, kissing him, pointed it out, thinking on the dear ones who were
behind the mountain, counting the days till we returned. Gringalet
barked, as if claiming a caress for himself, and, guided by the dog, we
reached our bivouac to enjoy a well-deserved repose.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: "The _Terre-Chaude_ was stretched out at my feet."]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XXV.

A GROUND-SQUIRREL.--A MOUSE'S NEST.--HUMMING-BIRDS AND THEIR YOUNG
ONES.--THE LOCUST-TREE.--MEXICAN WOLVES AND THEIR RETREAT.

I was suddenly awakened by the report of a gun just as the day was
breaking. L'Encuerado showed me an enormous squirrel, with a gray back
and white belly--a species which never climbs, and is, for this reason,
called by Indians _amotli_ (ground-squirrel). This animal, which lives
in a burrow, has all the grace and vivacity of its kind, but it can
never be domesticated. It generally goes about in numerous bands, and,
when near cultivation, will commit in a single night great destruction;
the farmers, consequently, wage against it a war of extermination.

Just as we were setting out, l'Encuerado, whose arm was visibly healing
up, again took charge of the basket. I allowed him to carry it, on the
condition he should tell me as soon as he felt tired. I went in front,
leading Lucien by the hand, and the rocky slope was descended without
accident. The oaks were small and scattered, and left us an easy passage
over ground covered with dry leaves, which rustled under our feet.

"We might almost fancy we were in Europe," said Sumichrast, suddenly