THE ADVENTURES OF 



like a triangle, with two horns at its base. He ran to show us 

 these miniature bulls. Afterwards, armed with a long branch by- 

 way of a lever, he tried to raise up a decayed root covered with 

 moss. He succeeded to do it, after some trouble, and saw, 

 cowering down among the roots, a beautiful lizard; it had a 

 greenish back, and its mouth and the sides of its body were 

 bright blue ; it was a variety which we had never before observed. 

 The little animal, doubtless dazzled by the light, allowed itself 

 to be caught, and then suddenly bending down its head, bit the 

 boy's finger, who at once dropped it. L'Encuerado soon caught 

 the runaway. 



'' Didn't you know that lizards were harmless ^ " asked Sumi- 

 chrast of Lucien. 



" That is why they bite, I suppose," replied the boy, shaking 

 his head. 



" Yes," said the naturalist, " but you needn't be afraid ; its 

 bite is not venomous. 



" ' This brute is surely not disposed to strife, 

 But you attack it, it 'II defend its life.' " 



Night came on. A multitude of insects whirled round and 

 round our fire, burning their wings as if they enjoyed it. Lucien 

 wanted to know what attracted so many of these poor creatures 

 to the flame. As he inquired, two or three great beetles suddenly 

 appeared with loud buzzing, and at once precipitated themselves 

 into the burning coals. 



" See what comes of giddiness," said Sumichrast. " If since 

 we set out we had walked blindly on without looking where we 

 went, long ere this we should have found ourselves at the bottom, 

 of some ravine." 



" But these butterflies and beetles throw themselves into the fire 

 on purpose," said I'Encuerado, with the inflexible logic of facts. 



" They are not aware that the flame will burn," I replied. 



" That 's true," murmured the Indian, in a tone of compassion. 



Fatigue compelled us to give up our relaxation, and we soon 

 went to sleep in a warm atmosphere, which seemed all the more 

 pleasant when we remembered our sufferings of the night before. 



