A YOUXG NATURALIST. H7 



" Xo ; I kept tight hold of him. You very well know 

 that if Chanito were likely to come to his death by my 

 fault, I should die first." 



" That wouldn't bring the boy to life again. There will 

 be plenty of dangers in our excursion without seeking them 

 out for mere pleasure. I want to bring you all back safe 

 and sound to Orizava ; therefore, don't let us have any more 

 of these ascents." 



Having uttered this remonstrance, I. turned on my Jieel, 

 for it was no use trying to have the last word with 1'En- 

 cuerado. I was, however, quite sure that he would not re- 

 new the exploit which had displeased me, and that was all 

 I wished. 



At supper-time, Gringalet did not show any repugnance 

 to the flesh of the armadillo, the taste of which reminded 

 Lucien of sucking-pig. 



" Are armadillos very scarce P'Mie asked ; " they are nev- 

 er sold in the market." 



" Just the contrary," replied Sumichrast ; " they are 

 very common, and the Indians never fail to feast on them 

 svhen they can procure them." 



" What does the name armadillo mean ?" 



"It is a Paraguayan word, the meaning of which is, 

 ' encased in armor.' The Aztecs call the animal ayoto- 

 chitl, that is, * gourd-rabbit ' < rabbit ' on account of its 

 ears, and 'gourd' because, when it rolls itself up in a ball, 

 it reminds one of that vegetable." 



L'Encuerado had gone to sleep. Lucien soon went into 

 the hut, and I noticed that Sumichrast carefully arranged 

 the leaves which were to form our bed, although he himself 

 lay down anywhere. I was much less inclined for sleep 

 than my companions, and contemplated them all reposing; 

 reflecting on the strange chance which united, under the 

 same shelter, in the midst of the wilderness, persons born 



