284 THE ADVENTURES OF 



" That's the way," I answered, " in which effeminacy gets 

 the better of energy, and cowardice of courage ! Let us 

 behave with more boldness, and not be seduced into delay- 

 ing our journey." 



My companion accepted the reproof, and without further 

 delay our party were en route. 



The stream pointed out to us the road we were to fol- 

 low ; along the edge of it, sheltered by the bushes and en- 

 livened by the birds which were fluttering about the banks, 

 we shaped our course. Sumichrast showed us some dahlias 

 the flower which would be so perfect if it only possessed 

 a perfume. It is a perennial in Mexico, whence it has been 

 imported into Europe, and there grows to a height of about 

 three feet, producing only single flowers of a pale yellow 

 color. By means of cultivation, varieties have been obtain- 

 ed with double flowers of a hundred different tints, which 

 are such ornaments in our gardens. Many a Mexican, who 

 imports dahlias at a great expense, has not the least idea 

 that the plant is indigenous to his own soil. 



The roots of the dahlia, salted and boiled, are eaten by 

 the Indians ; it is a farinaceous food of a somewhat insipid 

 taste. Certainly, the wild potato is not much better ; and 

 who can tell whether cultivation, after having enriched our 

 gardens with its beautiful flowers, may not also furnish our 

 tables with the bulbs of this plant rendered more succulent 

 by horticiilture. 



The course of the stream described numerous windings, 

 and the desire of keeping on its margin frequently diverted 

 us from our direct path ; at last it doubled round short to 

 the left, and I bade farewell to it as if to a friend, but, 

 nevertheless, preserved a hope that its capricious course 

 would again bring it back in our path. 



Our road now commenced to ascend, sometimes cross- 

 ing glades or groves. Suddenly a wide prairie opened out 



