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Rh at its summit is greatly prized by the South Americans for its great delicacy and highly nutritive qualities.

“Bravo!” I cried, “you have retrieved your character; come down and receive the thanks of the company, what are you waiting up there for?”

“I am coming presently,” he replied, “with the second half of my contribution; I hope it will be as fully appreciated as the first.”

In a short time he slipped down the tree, and, advancing to his mother, presented her with the nutshell he had taken up with him.

“Here,” he said, “is a wine which the greatest connoisseur would prize. Taste it, mother.”

The shell was filled with a clear rosy liquor, bright and sparkling. My wife tasted it. “Excellent, excellent,” she exclaimed. “Your very good health, my dear boy!”

We drank the rosy wine in turn, and Ernest received hearty thanks from all.

It was getting late, and while we were enjoying our supper before our tent, our donkey, who had been quietly browsing near us, suddenly set up a loud bray, and, without the least apparent cause, pricked up his ears, threw up his heels, and galloped off into the thicket of bamboos. We followed for a short distance, and I sent the dogs in chase, but they returned without our friend, and, as it was late, we were obliged to abandon the chase.

I was annoyed by this incident, and even alarmed; for not only had we lost the ass, but I knew not what had occasioned his sudden flight. I knew not whether he was aware, by instinct, of the approach of some fierce wild beast. I said nothing of this to my family, but, making up an unusually large fire, I bade them sleep with their arms by their sides, and we all lay down.

A bright morning awoke us early, and I rose and looked out, thinking that perhaps our poor donkey might have been attracted