DE MENONVILLE'S ADVENTURE. 119 



the nopals. They were planted four feet apart in 

 lines, the lines being six feet asunder. The 

 nopalerie belonged to a negro, and it was here that 

 a purchase might in all probability be effected. 

 On another occasion, therefore, de Menonville 

 took two Indian servants, each bearing a large 

 hamper, and repaired very early in the morning 

 to the garden. He left his servants at the en- 

 trance, and entered alone. The negro proprietor 

 had scarcely risen, but he came forward in a frank 

 and agreeable manner. De Menonville then told 

 him, that being a physician, he was anxious to 

 make an ointment of his own invention for the 

 cure of gout, and for this purpose he wished to 

 purchase some branches of nopals laden with 

 cochineal, for which he was willing to pay what- 

 ever the owner should demand, provided he might 

 make his own selection of the branches suitable 

 to his purpose. The Indian willingly complied, 

 and accordingly the hampers were brought in, 

 and eight fine branches, each two feet high and so 

 loaded with cochineals as to be quite white, were 

 speedily cut, packed, and covered with cloths. 



