132 THE ADVENTURES OF 



against one another. In about five minutes the leaves which had 

 been rubbed again spread out, as if they had. recovered from 

 their fright. 



It was, however, only for a short time ; for Lucien amused 

 himself by rubbing his fingers over the leaves, which imme- 

 diately doubled up, as if offended by the slight touch. The 

 Indians call it the " Bashful Plant." A blow struck on the prin- 

 cipal stem is sufficient to make all the branches close, as if 

 animated by a kind of modest feeling. When the sun sets, the 

 sensitive plant spontaneously shuts up its delicate foliage, which 

 does not open again freely until the return of day. 



Lucien's first idea, at waking, was to run towards the shrubs 

 which interested him the day before. They were covered with 

 dew, and looked as if they were asleep, until the first rays of the 

 sun fell upon them. Before we started, the young naturahst 

 again tested the delicate sensibility of the plant, which Sumi- 

 chrast told him was allied to the tree which produces gum 

 arable. 



L'Encuerado's cheek was less swollen, and Sumichrast could 

 use his hand, although it still pained him. The mountain in front 

 of us, which was too steep to climb, caused us some perplexity. 



" Let us slant off to the. left, over this moist ground, ■ carpeted 

 with turf," said Sumichrast, plunging into the thicket. 



About mid-day, just as I'Encuerado was declaring, in a grum- 

 bling tone, that we ought to have inclined towards the right, our 

 little troop entered the wood. An undulating slope led us to a 

 summit not more than twenty yards across, and, in less than 

 half an hour, the opposite descent brought us into a dehcious 

 glen. 



" Holloa ! Master ' Sunbeam,' " cried Sumichrast, whilst help- 

 ing me to construct our hut, "don't you recollect you are the 

 one to provide the fire % " 



"All right," replied Lucien, who seemed to be lost in the con- 

 templation of a dead branch ; " I want to get hold of an insect 

 which appears to be making, like us, natural history collections, 

 for I have just found in its nest a quantity of spiders, flies, and 

 small worms." 



