Still, Tranquil, agitated by a secret presentiment, felt a feverish and apparently causeless anxiety which robbed him of sleep; in vain did he close his eyes with the firm intention of sleeping, they opened again in spite of his will; wearied with this sleeplessness, for which he could find no plausible reason, the hunter rose, resolved to keep awake and take a turn in the neighbourhood. The movement he made in picking up his rifle woke Loyal Heart. "What is the matter?" he asked at once. "Nothing, nothing," the hunter answered, "go to sleep." "Then why do you get up?" "Because I cannot sleep, that's all, and intend to profit by my wakefulness to take a walk round the camp." These words completely aroused Loyal Heart, for Tranquil was not the man to do anything without powerful reasons. "Come my friend," he said to him, "there is something, tell me. "I know nothing," the hunter answered, "but I am sad and restless; in a word, I know not what I fancy, but I cannot help thinking an approaching danger menaces us; what it is I cannot say, but I noticed today two flocks of flamingoes flying against the wind, several antelopes, deers, and other animals running madly in the same direction; the whole day through I have not heard a single bird sing, and as all that is not natural, I am alarmed." "Alarmed?" Loyal Heart said with a laugh. "Alarmed of a snare, and that is why I wish to make a round; I suppose I shall discover nothing, I believe and hope it, but no matter, I shall at any rate be certain that we have nothing to fear." Loyal Heart, without saying a word, wrapped himself in his zarapé and seized his rifle. "Let us go," he said. "What do you mean?" the hunter asked. "I am going with you." "What nonsense, my undertaking is only the fancy of a sick brain; do you remain here and rest yourself." "No, no," Loyal Heart answered with a shake of his head, "I think exactly the same as you have just told me; I also feel anxious, I know not why, and wish to be certain." "In that case come along; perhaps, after all, it will be the better course." The two men quitted the bivouac. The night was fresh and light, the atmosphere extremely transparent, the sky studded with stars, the moon seemed floating in æther, and its light, combined with that of the stars, was so great, that objects were as visible as in open day. A profound calm brooded over the landscape, which the hunters could perfectly survey from the elevation on which they were standing; at times a mysterious breath passed over the leafy tops of the trees, which it bent with a hoarse murmur. Tranquil and Loyal Heart carefully examined the plain which stretched an enormous distance before them. Suddenly the Canadian seized his friend's arms, and by a sharp and irresistible movement, drew him behind the trunk of an enormous larch tree. "What is it?" the hunter asked eagerly. "Look!" his comrade answered laconically, as he stretched out his arm in the direction of the plain.