1 1 8 THE AD VENTURES OF 



" Then water-bugs are really able to fly, swim, and walk ? " 



" Yes ; and I 'm sure they can see in the dark, too," said I'En- 

 cuerado, who, it may be remembered, envied animals this privi- 

 lege. 



"We are certainly justified in thinking so," I answered, smiling, 

 " for they nearly always choose the night for travelhng. Take 

 care they don't bite you, for the water-bug bites as hard as its 

 kinsmen of the woods and houses." 



A little farther on, Lucien stopped in front of an herbaceous 

 plant, covered from top to bottom with round, flat, black insects, 

 speckled with red, and almost resembling mosaic-work. He was 

 very proud of his beautiful discovery, and took hold of two or 

 three of the insects ; but feeling their soft bodies give way in 

 his fingers, he threw them down with disgust. 



" Oh ! what are these horrid creatures?" 



" They are wood-bugs," replied Sumichrast ; " only they are in 

 the state of larva, and have no wings." 



" What has caused this nasty smell on my fingers?" 



" When any one touches these insects, a very strong-smelling 

 yellowish liquid always exudes from them." 



Lucien ran oflp to wash his hands. He rubbed them over and 

 over again, but could not quite get rid of the smell, which seemed 

 to annoy him very much. I concluded from this, that in future 

 he would not have many wood-bugs in his collection. 



After a long ramble at the bottom of the ravine, we had to 

 return to our starting-point, which was the only side by which 

 we could obtain an exit. We found the cataract perfectly bathed 

 in light. The large upper sheet of water looked like a block of 

 azure-stone, whilst the spray beneath glittered as if covered with 

 diamonds. Above our heads a rainbow spanned the stream from 

 bank to bank. 



I at last succeeded in tearing my companions away from this 

 wondrous scene. We had met with no game, but a great part of 

 our fawn was yet remaining in the basket. Sumichrast was still 

 in pain, and I'Encuerado's face continued much inflamed. We 

 now had to ascend, and we each adopted the greatest precaution 

 while passing the spot where we had seen the serpents. I don't 



