INSECT TROGLODYTES. 125 



"Well, Doctor," I said, when we had finished morn- 

 ing worshiji, "I have something to show yon down here 

 that will gratify yonr antiquarian interest in your fellow- 

 men. Moreover, I think I can put you on the trail of 

 a race of troglodytes of even more ancient descent than 

 those of whom you told us last nightT" 



" Indeed ! But — tut ! you are trying to quiz me, I 

 see." 



" Not in the least ; get your hat and cane, and let us 

 walk over to the creek ; you shall judge if I am not 

 in good earnest. " 



"Well, well, I confess that I am incredulous still; 

 but it 's a fine morning for a walk, at any rate, and 

 there 's nothing gives such interest to a journey as 

 some pleasant motive and destination." 



"There \s a deal of deep philosophy in that remark," 

 continued the good man after a pause, during which he 

 had arrayed himself for the excursion, "a philosophy 

 that one does well to apply to all the pilgrimage of this 

 life and its final destination, which I hope may be a 

 happy one for us all. Ah ! excuse me, I really did not 

 mean to preach !" And he did not, for the blush 

 mantled his face, and he looked askance at me as though 

 anticipating my displeasure. We were now fairly 

 afield, and our thoughts turned again upon the troglo- 

 dytes. 



"There is one thing," I said, "that puzzles me in 

 your view of the early cave-men. May I ask how you 

 reconcile it with your belief as to the condition of the 

 original pair of Eden ?" 



