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 himself 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, shaking 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 accompanied me.