CHAPTER XXXIII.
THIRST.—L'ENCUERADO'S RETURN.—THE DESCRIPTION OF HIS JOURNEY.—JANET, VERDET, AND ROUGETTE.—HUNTING WILD HORSES.—OUR LAST ADVENTURE.—THE RETURN.
The undertaking was beyond our strength. Panting and suffocated with heat, and tormented by thirst, we were compelled to desist.
Lucien's feet pained him dreadfully, but the brave little fellow kept constantly saying, "I should be all right if I could only have a good drink."
My friend several times gave him his gourd to wet his tongue from, but it was only temporary relief. Night came on, and we began to prepare for our almost hopeless march. A mouthful of brandy gave us a little artificial strength. 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!"