CHAPTER XXL 



BLACK SKINS AND WHITE SKINS — WE HAVE TO TUEN CAEPENTEES— 

 l'ENCUEEADO CHANTING AND PREACHING— THE PALM-LEAVES — 

 VEGETABLE-BUTTER TREE. 



pSHE dwelling, so generously put at our disposal, was a 

 W^ large shed, divided into three rooms by bamboo par- 

 titions; mats, spread out on the ground, formed our 

 beds, and the remainder of the furniture consisted of nothing 

 but two benches. L'Encuerado swept out one of the rooms, 

 and, collecting some dry palm-leaves, made us a softer resting- 

 place than we had slept on for the last twenty days. A troop 

 of children, of both sexes and perfectly naked, formed a circle 

 round us, and watched our movements with surprise. I omitted 

 to mention about half a dozen dogs, who were at first perfectly 

 furious at Gringalet's appearance, but afterwards contented them- 

 selves with growling whenever the intruder came near. 



AVhen our baggage had been deposited in the shed, I went 

 and sat down a few paces from the hut on a mound overlooking 

 the brook. Sumichrast soon joined me. . Gradually the sun went 

 down, while the children, previously playing about, went to dip 

 themselves in the beautifully transparent water. I told Lucien, 

 who was dying to imitate them, to follow their example. He 

 had hardly taken off his shirt, when the young Indians, who 



