1 86 THE ADVENTURES OF 



" Why are we not to continue to keep straight on ? " asked 

 Lucien. 



" Because our journey must have some limit," I replied. " Up 

 to the present time we have only traversed what is called the 

 Terre-Tempiree ; we shall now soon reach the Terre-Froide, and 

 in three or four days we shall again encounter habitations." 



" Shall we see any people there ? " 



" I hope so ; don't you like the idea of it ? " 



" I don't object to it ; but it will seem so very strange to look 

 again at houses and men." 



" Oh dear ! " cried Sumichrast ; " you have become a perfect 

 little savage." 



" Travelling about on foot is so amusing, that I should be glad 

 if the journey lasted a very long time, that is, if I had a chance 

 now and then of kissing mamma." 



" Poor Sunbeam ! " said Sumichrast ; " I can't help thinking 

 of next year when you are at school. You will then often think 

 of your present life." 



" papa, if you go out for another excursion during the holi- 

 days, I hope you will take me with you, for you see I know how 

 to walk." 



" Before we think about another journey, let us first finish the 

 present. You seem to forget that the roughest part of our work 

 is yet before us." 



" Do you mean crossing the Terre-Froide ? " 



" No ; we shall only take a glimpse at that ; but in the Terre- 

 Ghaude we may meet with many trials." 



" Bah ! " said Lucien, kissing me ; " the Terre-Chaude is almost 

 like home ; I shall behave so well, that you will be able to tell 

 mamma that I am quite a man." 



The sun was up when I gave the order for starting. Sumi- 

 chrast went so far as to suggest that after such a disturbed 

 night, it would be better to spend another day in our charming 

 retreat. 



" That 's the way," I answered, " in which effeminacy gets the 

 better of energy, and cowardice of courage ! Let us behave with 

 more boldness, and not be seduced into delaying our journey." 



