A YOUNG NATURALIST. 13 



gambols. Our young companion began imitating liis frolics ; 

 but 1 soon called him to order, for our day's journey was to be 

 as much as six to seven leagues, and it was necessary to prevent 

 Lucien fatiguing himself unnecessarily. 



''You always go either too quickly or too slowly," said Sumi- 

 chrast to the boy ; " travellers, like soldiers, must walk at a 

 regular pace, so as to reach their halting-place without more 

 than necessary fatigue. Come — form in line ! That 's well ; 

 now, on we go !" 



Lucien measured his steps by those of his instructor. It was 

 jnost amusing to see him trying to keep a pace quite at variance 

 with the length of his short legs. 



" Halt !" cried Sumichrast ; " you can hardly imagine your legs 

 are as long as mine. Perhaps in about ten years' time you may 

 enjoy that privilege ; but, in the meantime, walk naturally — 

 without either effort or hurry. One, two, three ! — now you are 

 perfect. Keep on without noticing me ; you can't walk at my 

 pace, so I must take to yours.'' 



As our journey was to extend to the distance of three hundred 

 leagues, it was quite requisite that the boy should accustom him- 

 self to a regular step. After several attempts this was accom- 

 plished, and all progressed together. 



We now directed our course towards the heights. Our inten- 

 tion was to make our way into the Cordillera, and, passing round 

 the volcano of Orizava, to descend into the savannahs beyond, 

 slanting off to the left so as ultimately to reach the sea. Then 

 we thought of traversing the prairies and forests of the Terre- 

 Chaude, so as again to come to our starting-point through the 

 mountains of Songolica. This circuit would represent a journey 

 of a hundred and fifty leagues as the crow flies, or at least three 

 hundred leagues, reckoning all the circuits and bends we should 

 be obliged to make. During this long expedition, we had made 

 up our minds to seek, when opportunity offered, the hospitality 

 of any Indian villages that might come in our road, and only 

 when absolutely necessary to camp in the open air. 



About eleven, the heat became overpowering, and Lucien began 

 to inquire about breakfast. We were just then passing through 



