INTR ODUC TION. 



" That 's well ; now go to bed. If you keep your word, when 

 we return in a month's time, you '11 be a prodigy." 



Next morning Lucien was up and ready long before daybreak, 

 and complained of our tardiness. He was dressed in a jacket 

 and breeches of Ijlue cloth, with his Mexican cloak over them ; 

 lie carried in his belt a sword ready sharpened, to cut his way 

 through the creeping plants ; while over his shoulder was passed 

 the strap of a game-pouch, containing a knife, a cup, and a change 

 of underclothing. The broad-brimmed hat, or sombrero, on his 

 head, gave him a most determined air. I had almost forgotten 

 the famous travelling-staff, which, for the last two days, had been 

 resounding against all the floors in the house. L'Encuerado, a 

 Mistec Indian, and an old tiger-hunter, who, through a thousand 

 dangers faced in common, had become much attached to my per- 

 son, at last made his appearance, clad in a leathern jacket and 

 breeches, which had given him his name of '' Enawrado." * The 

 brave and adventurous Indian was almost beside himself with 

 joy at the idea of conducting into the forest the child whom he 

 had known from his cradle. On his back he fastened a basket, 

 containing our main stock of provisions, such as coffee, salt, 

 pepper, dried maize, cakes, &c. Lucien's younger brother and 

 sister had jumped out of bed, and were dancing all round us : 

 the latter seemed somewhat sad and uneasy, but the former was 

 dissatisfied, manfully asserting that he, too, was quite big enough 

 to go A^ith us. 



At the last moment my poor wife lost all her courage, and 

 regretted she had ever given her consent ; but when Lucien saw 

 the tears which his departure had called forth, he became heroic 

 in his self-denial, throwing aside his hat and stick. 



"Mother," he cried, embracing her in his arms, "I will not go 

 away, if it makes you cry." 



"All right, then; I will go instead," said his brother Emile, 

 who ran and picked up the stick and hat, and then walked towards 

 the outer door, utterly disregarding his bedroom costume. 



" No, no," said my wife ; " I will not be the means of depriving 

 you of so much pleasure." 



* Encuerado, in Spanish, means both naked and clad in leather. 



