258 THE ADVENTURES OF 



The next day, just as we were starting, I'Encuerado killed a 

 hocco. The fire was soon lighted, and the game washed down 

 with a mouthful of brandy, which somewhat restored our energy. 

 About mid-day, when the heat was most intense, the aspect of 

 the ground altered, the trees became wider apart, and our 

 strength seemed to redouble. 



" Now, Master Sunbeam ! " cried Sumichrast, " lengthen your 

 stride a little, if you please ; don't you hear the murmur of a 

 stream ? " 



" Three days you 've been telling me this story, so that now 

 both Gringalet and I are sceptical." 



" How will you behave when you cross the Savannahs?" 



" Just as at present. I would walk without drinking so as 

 not to excite my thirst," replied the child archly, who had failed 

 to be convinced by our reasoning. 



" Oh, come ! I thought you were too ill for irony. Never 

 mind, I can bear witness that you have behaved like a man. 

 What do your legs say % " 



" That they would be very wilHng to rest." 



" You would like to find yourself at Orizava? " 



" I should rather see a stream, an alligator, and a puma." 



" You are most unreasonable. I should be contented with the 

 stream." 



" Don't you find that the mosquitoes in the Terre-Chaude bite 

 much sharper than those in the Terre-Tem])irieV asked the boy, 

 addressing I'Encuerado. 



" No, Chanito ; they are all alike, for they belong to the same 

 family, as your papa says." 



" Then they must be more numerous here, for every instant one 

 receives a fresh pinch." 



"You must not complain yet, Chanito; you'll see what it 

 will be when we reach the stream." 



" How will it be then ? " 



" We shall not be able to open our mouths without swallowing 

 some of these blood-suckers. But, Chanito ! do you know what 

 these mosquitoes are ? " 



'' Yes, papa told me yesterday that they were diptera, and re- 



