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LESSON LXI.

BOLT, something thrown, a thunderbolt. | SPHERE, the concave expanse of the CA-REER', to move rapidly.

CRYSTAL, consisting of crystal, bright,
transparent.
LAY, song, note.

LARK, a bird which rises almost perpen-
dicularly in the air while it sings.

PRONUNCIATION.-Wid'ow 6, mount'ain

heavens, the sky.

SWAN, an aquatic bird, which the an

cients believed to sing at its death. SWERVE, to turn aside, to deviate. WAFT, to convey through water or air. WAVE, a billow, water.

le, de-fy'ing 1, re-turn' 1, floatʼing 12, dark'en 4d.

WHAT IS THAT, MOTHER?

1. "WHAT is that, mother?"

"The lark, my child.
The morn has but just looked out and smiled,
When he starts from his humble, grassy nest,
with the dew on his breast,
And a hymn in his heart, to yon pure, bright sphere,
To warble it out in his Maker's ear.

And is up and away,

Ever, my child, be thy morn's first lays

Tuned, like the lark's, to thy Maker's praise."

2. "What is that, mother?"

"The dove, my son;

And that low, sweet voice, like the widow's moan,

Is flowing out from her gentle breast,

Constant and pure from that lonely nest,

As the wave is poured from some crystal urn,
For her distant dear one's quick return.
Ever, my son, be thou like the dove,

In friendship as faithful, as constant in love."

3. "What is that, mother?"

"The eagle, my boy,
Careering proud in his course of joy;
Firm, on his own mountain vigor relying;
Breasting the dark storm; the red bolt defying,
His wing on the wind, and his eye on the sun,
He swerves not a hair, but bears onward, right on.
Boy, may the eagle's flight ever be thine,

Onward and upward and true to the line."

4. "What is that, mother?"

"The swan, my love.

He is floating down from his native grove;

No loved one now, no nestling nigh,
He is floating down, by himself, to die.

Death darkens his eye, and unplumes his wings;
Yet his sweetest song is the last he sings.
Live so, my love, that when death shall come,
Swan-like and sweet it may waft thee home."

BLANCH, to grow white.

LESSON LXII.

CHAR-AC-TER-IS'TIC, marking the peculiar qualities.

EN-ER-GET'IC, vigorous, forcible.

IN-DE-CISION, wavering of mind, irresolution.

INDIAN, a name applied to the natives
of the American continent, because
Columbus supposed this continent to
form part of India.
PROMPT, to incite, to instigate.
SWAY, rule, dominion.

PRONUNCIATION. Forʼests 29, jag'u-ar 16, put 33, ad-ven'ture 16, creatures 16 and 18, kit'ten 4d, were 33, cu-ri-os'i-ty 3c, heard 33, pur-sue' 16 and 19,

al'ways 2a.

THE DANGEROUS KITTENS.

1. THE jaguar, sometimes called the American tiger, is the most ferocious of American quadrupeds. This animal is sometimes so strong that it can drag a dead horse or ox to its den-often to a distance of a quarter of a mile.

2. In the forests of South-America the jaguar reigns with undisputed sway. Its roar produces terror and confusion among the animated creation, causing them to fly in every direction.

3. This dreadful sound is always heard by the Indians with dismay. And no wonder; for not a year passes without a number of these people falling victims to the savage ferocity of the jaguar.

4. The following adventure occurred in the forests of Brazil, in South-America, where a family of emigrants had made a settlement on the side of a lake. Among the members of the family were a young lad, named Leon, and an Indian servant.

5. While amusing himself one day in the woods across the lake, Leon spied a large hole in the side of a cliff.

6. Curiosity prompted him to step up to its mouth, for a closer examination. On doing so he heard a noise not unlike the mew of a cat. It evidently came from the cave, and only increased his curiosity to look inside.

7. He put his head to the entrance, and, in a sort of nest on the bottom of the cave he perceived two creatures exactly like two spotted kittens, only of larger size. They were about half as big as full-grown cats.

8. "What beauties!" said Leon to himself; "they are the kittens of some wild cat-that is plain. Now, we want a cat very much at home. If these were brought up in the house, I will warrant they would be tame enough. I know mamma wants a cat- -I have heard her say so. I will give her an agreeable surprise by taking this pair home. Pretty things they are!"

9. Without another word, Leon climbed up, and taking hold of the two spotted animals, returned with them out of the cave. They were evidently very young; yet, for all that, they growled and spat

and attempted to scratch his hands. But Leon was not a boy to be frightened at trifles; and, after getting one under each arm, he set off in triumph, intending to carry them directly to the house.

10. The Indian servant was in front of the house, busy in fitting a handle in his ax. The rest of the family were engaged in various labors.

11. Just then a voice sounded in their ears, causing them all to stop their work, and look about. It was the voice of Leon, shouting from the other side of the lake, where he was seen standing with a strange object under each arm.

12. "Hollo!" cried he. "Look, mamma! See what I have got; I have brought you a couple of cats-beauties, are they not?" And as he said this he held out the two yellow kittens.

13. His father turned pale, and even the coppery cheek of the Indian blanched at the sight. Though at some distance, both knew at a glance what the creatures were. Cats, indeed! They were the cubs of the jaguar!

14. "O heavens!" cried the father, hoarse with affright, "the boy will be lost!" and as he spoke he swept the edge of the lake with an anxious glance.

15. "Run, little master!" shouted the Indian. life! make for the bridge-for the bridge!"

"Run for your

16. Leon seemed astonished. He knew by their earnest words and gestures that there was some danger-but of what? Why was he to run? He could not understand it. He hesitated, and might have staid longer on the spot, had not his father, seeing his indecision, shouted out to him in a loud voice,

"Run, boy, run! The jaguars are after you!"

17. This speech enabled Leon, for the first time, to comprehend his situation; and he immediately started for the bridge, running as fast as he was able. The father had not seen the jaguars when he spoke, but he knew they would pursue the robber of the den. The words had hardly been uttered when two yellow bodies, dashing out of the brushwood, appeared near the upper end of the lake. 18. There was no mistaking what they were. Their orange flanks and spotted sides were sufficiently characteristic. They were jaguars! A few springs brought them to the edge of the water, and they were seen to take the track over which Leon had just passed.

19. They were following by the scent-sometimes pausing, sometimes one passing the other-and their waving tails, and quick, energetic movements showed that they were furious, and excited to the highest degree. Now they disappeared behind the trunks of the palm-trees, and the next moment their shining bodies shot out again like flashes of light.

20. The father shouted words of encouragement in a hoarse voice.

The Indian seized his ax, the handle of which was fortunately now fitted, and ran toward the fallen tree which served as a bridge. The father followed with pistols, which he had hastily seized.

LESSON LXIII.

AN-NOUNCE', to proclaim, declare.
AN-TAG O-NIST,one who contends against
AP-PARENT, plain, evident.
CHASM, a fissure, an opening in the earth.
LACER-ATE, to tear, rend.

PRE-CIP'I-TOUS, very steep.
PER-TI-NAC'I-TY, firm adherence to a
purpose, obstinacy.
RA-VINE', a long, deep hollow.
RE-LENT LESS, unrelenting, implacable.

PRONUNCIATION.-Mo'ment 1b, ra-vine' (ra-veen') If, for'tune 16 and 18, re-
mained′ 1, a-gain′ 33, knew 16, certain (cer'tin) lc, op'po-site 2d and 5,
an-oth ́er 27a, cliff 326.

SEQUEL OF THE DANGEROUS KITTENS.

1. THE lake was long and narrow. At its lower end a wild, rushing river found an outlet through a deep, precipitous chasm.

2. This chasm could be crossed by means of a fallen tree, the roots of which still adhered to the opposite bank, while on this side the end of the trunk rested on the edge of the rocky cliff.

3. For a moment there was silence on both sides of the river. The Indian was opposite Leon, both running. The stream narrowed as it approached the bridge, and they could see each other, and hear every word distinctly. The Indian now cried out,

"Drop one! young master-only one!”

4. Leon heard, and, being a sharp boy, understood in an instant. Up to this moment he had not thought of parting with his "cats." Now, however, at the voice of the Indian, he flung one of them to the ground. He ran on. In a few seconds he heard,

"Now the other!”

5. Leon let the other slip from his grasp, and kept on for the bridge. It was well he had dropped the cubs, or he would never have reached that bridge. When the first one fell the jaguars were not twenty paces behind. They were almost in sight; but by good fortune he was hid from their view by the weeds and underwood. 6. On reaching the first cub that had been dropped both stopped, and began to lick and caress it. They remained but a moment. One started sooner than the other—the female, no doubt, in search of her second young one.

7. Shortly after, the other started also, and both were again seen springing along the trail in pursuit. A few stretches brought them where the second cub lay, and here they again halted, caressing this one as they had done the other.

8. The spectators on the other side were in hopes that, having

recovered their young, the jaguars might give over the chase, and return to their den. But they were mistaken.

9. Once enraged, the American tiger will seek revenge with relentless pertinacity. After delaying a moment with the second cub, both left it and sprang forward upon the trail which they knew had been taken by the robber.

10. By this time Leon had gained the bridge-had crossed itand was lifted by the arms of the Indian. The latter scarce spoke a word-only telling Leon to hurry toward the house. For himself, he had other work. The bridge he knew would be no protection. The jaguars would cross over it like squirrels, and then —

11. The Indian reflected no further; but, bending over the thick trunk, attacked it with his ax. His design was apparent. He was going to cut away the bridge.

12. The ax was plied with all the might of a strong and willing arm. Every muscle of his body was in play. Blow succeeded blow. The bridge was already creaking, when, to his horror, on the other side the foremost of the jaguars appeared in sight!

13. Not discouraged, he strikes again- -faster and faster falls the ax; the jaguar is on the bank; it has sprung upon the root of the tree! It pauses a moment—another blow of the ax-the jaguar bounds upon the trunk-its claws rattle along the bark-it is midway over the chasm!

14. Another blow-the bridge crackles-there is a crash-it parts from the cliff-it is gone! Both tree and jaguar gone— down-down to the sharp rocks of the foaming torrent!

15. A loud yell from the Indian announced his triumph. But it was not yet complete. The female jaguar—the smaller one-had fallen. The male still remained upon the opposite brink of the chasm! 16. He had dashed forward just in time to see his mate disappearing into the gulf below. He saw, and seemed to comprehend all that had passed. His eyes glared with redoubled fury. There was vengeance in his look, and determination in his attitude.

17. For a moment he surveyed the wide gulf which separated him from his enemies. The distance was measured at a glance. His heart was bold with rage and despair.

18. He had lost his companion. Life was nothing compared with revenge. Running a few paces back from the edge of the chasm, with a sudden turn he set his body for the spring.

19. Ax in hand, the Indian stood upon the opposite bank, ready to receive him.

20. He had not long to wait. With one desperate bound the jaguar launched his body into the air, and, like lightning, passed to the opposite bank. His fore-feet only reached it, and his claws firmly grasped the rock. The rest of his body hung over, clutching

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