2 1 o THE AD VENTURES OF 



This sight refreshed us so marvellously, that we all de- 

 scended with rapid long strides. Every now and then either 

 a cock crowing, a turkey gobbling, or a dog barking, came as 

 music to our ears, and I can hardly describe what pleasant 

 feelings these familiar noises produced. As we went on, the 

 bushes on each side of the path screened our view of the 

 huts. The neigh of a horse attracted our attention, and a man, 

 mounted bare-backed, made his appearance about a hundred 

 paces from us. 



" Halt ! " I cried to my companions. 



"With my gun hung to my cross-belt and my hat in hand, I 

 advanced alone towards the rider, who had suddenly reined in 

 his steed. 



" Ave Maria ! " said I, going up to him. 



" Her holy name be blessed," answered the horseman, raising 

 his cap, from which several locks of white hair escaped. 



" Do you speak Spanish, venerable father?" 



" Yes, a little." 



" Are you the chief of the village ? " 



"What do you want?" 



" We require water and a roof to shelter us.'' 



" You are not alone, I see ; from whom do you come ? " 



" We are nothing but travellers wandering through the forests 

 to seek for plants and animals with healing properties. 



" But you are armed ? " 



" Well, we have a child to protect, and the brutes of the 

 forest are fierce." 



" Are you speaking the truth ? " 



I then called Lucien, who doffed his hat to the old man and 

 saluted him. 



" Child, may God bless you ! " 



" Are we to consider ourselves your guests ? " 



" Yes, you are the guests of Coyotepec ; come along with me." 



Sumichrast and I'Encuerado also approached the horseman, 

 who dismounted and then led the way. The latter conversed 

 with the Indian in the Mistec tongue, an idiom which Lucien 

 alone could understand, he having been taught it by TEncuerado. 



