

CHAPTEE XIV. 



the meteor — god almighty's lantekns — the skunk — the jalap 

 plant — an aerial journey— the orchids— bivouac in thp: 

 mouth op a cave — grin6alet and the beetles — a white 

 ant's nest. 



jHE sun left us soon afterwards, and we sat talking by the 

 pI^ fire. At last, I'Encuerado took away Lucien towards the 

 rocks, and set up one of those interminable chants with 

 which his memory was stored. Our fire lighted up with its red 

 gleam the stone on which they were sitting, making it look like 

 an immense pedestal, surmounted by two bronze statues. Any 

 traveller suddenly entering the valley would have recoiled in 

 terror before this fantastic apparition ; and if any wild beast had 

 been prowling near us, our gigantic shadows would certainly have 

 made it keep its distance. 



We were just thinking of calling Lucien to come and lie down 



