Part 32 (1/2)

'Ah,' said the hers are safe My pet puuars would object to your presence; but for safety's sake Archie shall go along with you, and he shall also co Give hi, and Archie dotes upon them'

So away back by the banks of the strea on before It did really seeave Archie the peaches, and he looked delighted

'Good-bye, old ald, as he presented him with his

'Speak a word or two of Gaelic to him,' said our Archie

Sandie Donaldson was indeed astonished at all we told hiht,' he said, 'but dearon in front of you!'

In the evening, just as we had returned frouanaco hunt, we found Donaldson's uncanny creature co the path

'I suppose he means us to dine with him,' I remarked

'Ah, ah, ah! Yah, ah, yah!' cried the baboon

'Well, will you coht,' said Sandie 'Take care of yourselves, boys Mind what the old proverb says: ”They need a lang spoon wha sup wi' the deil”'

We found the herlad he seemed to see us

'I've been at ho your dinner Most enjoyable work, I can assure you All the vegetables are fresh, and even the curry has been grown on the premises I hope you are fond of armadillo; that is a favourite dish ofthat perhaps you have never tasted before, roast or boiled For bread we have biscuit; for e have _ht to beas well as any s'

Two deerhounds trotted up andScot two years ago while on a visit to Chili'

'How about the pumas? Don't they--'

'No, they couars do not attempt to touch them Sit down; you see I dine early We will have time before dusk to visit some of my pets I hope they did not keep you awake'

'No, but the noise would have done so, had we not knohat they were'

Conversation never once flagged all the time we sat at table The hermit himself had put most of the dishes down, but Archie duly waited behind his ht both the _mate_ and the milk, as well as the fruit This dessert was of thedescription; and not even at our own _estancia_ had I tasted rapes But there were many kinds of fruit here we had never even seen before As soon as ere done the waiter had _his_ repast, and the ah surprised us beyond round to eat Well, when he coentleman of somewhat spare habit; when he rose up--by the aid of his pole--he was decidedly pluy Even his cheeks were puffed out; and no wonder, they were stuffed with nuts to eat at his leisure

'I dare say Archie eats at all odd hours,' I said

'No, he does not,' replied the hered hi, and never eats between arette and stroll round with arette,' I said

'Then fill your pockets with nuts and raisins; you '