INTRODUCTION. 



mind by an almost unceasing struggle with the difficulties that 

 beset one's course through an unknown country. Both the mind 

 and body of my son must surely benefit by such an excursion, 

 which might be curtailed if desirable. Soon after the boy 

 returned, accompanied by his mother. 



" What is all this about a journey, for which my consent is thr 

 only requisite ?" asked my wife. 



" Mine is needed too," I answered. 



" Why not take him, dear % L'Encuerado has promised me that 

 he will not lose sight of him for an instant." 



" What ! do ijou take his part % " 



" He does long so much to go with you,'' she said. 



" Be it so," I replied. " Get your clothes ready, for we must 

 be off the day after to-morrow at daybreak." 



Lucien was almost beside himself with joy. He rushed about 

 the house from one end to the other ; gave the servants much 

 unnecessary trouble; leggings, boots, and a game-bag, he wanted ; 

 also a sword, a knife, insect-cases — in fact, a whole multitude of 

 requirements. L'Encuerado, who was almost as rejoiced as the 

 lad, cut him a travelling-staflF, as strong and light as was requi- 

 site, and made him other auxiliaries necessary on such excursions. 

 From this moment forward, Lucien was constantly running and 

 climbing about all the rooms and the yards round the house, to 

 accustom himself, as he said, to the fatigue of a long journej'. 

 At dinner-time he would take nothing but bread and water, in 

 order to prepare his system for the meagre fare of the bivouac. 

 In fact, I had to quiet him down by recommending more cool- 

 ness to his excited little brain. 



The eve of our departure arrived, and several friends came to 

 bid me farewell. My son told them of all the great things he 

 had determined to achieve — how he would crush the heads of 

 scorpions, and with his sword cut down trees or kill serpents. 



" If I tumble over the rocks," said he, " I shall only laugh at 

 my bruises ; and if we meet with any tigers ""' 



An extremely warlike attitude terminated this sentence. 



* The Jaguar {Leopardus vnca Linn) is frequently called a tiger in America. 

 The Tiger (Twjris Regalis) is not found on that continent. — Ed. 



