A YOUNG NATURALIST. ^3 



" Well, will one of you. sell us some maize-cakes, and give us 

 some water ? " 



" We have neither water nor cakes.'' 



"I'm quite sure you will be able to find some," I replied, 

 placing a half-piastre iu his hand. 



The Indian took off his straw hat, scratched his forehead, and 

 then, placing two fingers in his mouth, whistled a prolonged 

 note. Almost immediately the foliage was pushed aside, and a 

 boy about fifteen years old, wearing nothing but a pair of 

 drawers, made his appearance, and halted, as if terrified, at the 

 sight of us. 



" Run to the hut, and ask for cakes, and some capsicums, and 

 bring them here," said the woodcutter, in the Aztec language. 



" It 's quite needless," I replied, in the same idiom ; " we can 

 breakfast much more comfortably in the hut." 



The woodcutter looked at me in artless admiration, then taking 

 my hand, placed it on his breast. I spoke his language, and I 

 was, therefore, his friend. This is a feeling common to all men, 

 whatever may be their nationality or social position. 



Following the young Indian, in five minutes we reached a very 

 primitive dwelling; being but four stakes supporting a roof 

 made of branches with their leaves on. The woodmen in Mexico 

 construct such temporary places of shelter, for at the com- 

 mencement of the rainy season they cease to dwell in the 

 forests. 



An Indian girl warmed for us a dozen of those maize-flour 

 fritters, which are called tortillas, and are eaten by the natives 

 instead of bread. She also brought us a calabash full of cooked 

 beans, which hunger rendered delicious. 



" Why don't they serve the meat first ? " asked Lucien. 



" Because they have none," repHed Sumichrast, 



" Haven't these Indians any meat 1 Poor fellows ! How will 

 they dine, then ? " 



" Don't you know that the Indians never eat meat more than 

 three or four times a year ; and that their usual food is com- 

 posed of nothing but black beans, rice, capsicums, and maize- 

 flour 1 Have you forgotten our dinner yesterday ] " 



