ONE OF MY YOUNG FRIENI 



CHAPTEE y. 



OK AN ASCENT OF CORAZON", AND WALKS IN THE LANES OF 



MACHACHI. 



Certain circumstances led me to say in the morning, " Sen or 

 Racines, now tell me, upon your word of honour as a gentle- 

 man, Are there fleas in this house V There was just a fractional 

 hesitation, and then the tambo-keeper answered with the air of 

 a man who spoke the truth, " Senor, upon my word of honour, 

 there are.'" The information had been confirmed beforehand. 

 It was decided to have a general clear out, and Jean-Antoine, 

 to his credit, became chief housemaid. The contents of our 

 apartments were taken into the gallery of the courtyard, and 

 were scrubbed, brushed, beaten or shaken, much to the wonder 

 of the natives. The news spread, and soon the 2^atio was filled 

 with a troop of sallow urchins, grinning from ear to ear. 

 '' These gringos are very odd,"' they said. '^ See ! that is the 

 Senor patron. Look!^' — pointing to Jean-Antoine — ^^ that is 

 Senor Juan. AYhat a fine beard ! ^' 



