474 THE 



We watched the sun go down from the top of the hill, 

 and descried on the horizon the bluish line of the Cor- 

 dillera, with the volcano of Orizava towering up towards 

 the west. Henceforth this mountain was to be our guide 

 while crossing the immense savannah, an undertaking which 

 filled me with dread. 



" Shall we cross that great plain ?" asked Lucien. 



"Yes, Master Sunbeam, it is the shortest way to Ori- 

 zava." 



"How many hours shall we be in doing it ?" 



" Hours ? We shall be three or four days at least." 



At this moment a storm, which we saw impending, burst 

 over us, and we hurried pell-mell to our hut. For four 

 hours the heavens continued to pour down, amidst thunder 

 and lightning, a perfect deluge, and we were all, in spite of 

 our shelter, soaked to the skin. The clouds broke up, and 

 a few stars shone out ; about midnight the clear sky regain- 

 ed its azure tint, while the moon dimly lighted up the land- 

 scape. L'Encuerado, who slept through it, now woke up 

 to help us to rekindle the fire and get ready a cup of coffee ; 

 after enjoying which, and changing our clothes, we all re- 

 tired to rest. 



In the morning we held a council to deliberate about the 

 route, and, after some debate, we agreed to 1'Encuerado's 

 proposal, and decisively resolved to cross the savannah 

 'direct. 



It would have been madness to travel, so heavily laden 

 as we were, under the rays of a vertical, sun ; so I proposed 

 not to start till the evening, and that henceforth we should 

 travel by night, a plan which quite rejoiced Lucien. 



After the baggage had been equally divided, and every 

 thing that was useless thrown away, I counted the maize- 

 cakes, our only food, and found we had enough victuals for 

 several days, besides crayfish, and the flesh of an armadillo. 



