INTRODUCTION. 



17 



Francjois Sumichrast, a Swiss savant, well known for his dis- 

 coveries in natural history, in whose company I had under- 

 taken several journeys. About ten o'clock at night, I be- 

 gan to fancy my letter of information had miscarried, when 

 a knock at the door startled me, and I soon recognized the 

 happy voice of my friend. He had come expressly from 

 Cordova, in order to make one in our little expedition. I 

 told him all my doubts and fears about my boy, but he 

 quite took the part of the young traveller ; almost what I 

 might have expected from a companion of Topffer. 



" Come here," he cried to Lucien, who, half-undressed, 

 had just peeped in at the door. 



The boy ran to him, and my friend, whose stature much 

 exceeded the average, lifted him up and embraced him as 

 an ally. 



" At your age," said Sumichrast, " I had made the tour of ' 

 Switzerland, my bag on my back, and had tried my teeth on 

 bears'-steaks. I predict that you will behave like a man. 

 Shall I be wrong ?" 



" Oh no, M. Sumichrast." 



" Can you live without eating and drinking ?" 



" I will do all you do." 



" That's well ; now go to bed. If you keep your word, 

 when we return in a month's time you'll be a prodigy." 



Next morning Lucien was up and ready long before day- 

 break, and complained of our tardiness. He was dressed 

 in a jacket and breeches of blue cloth, with his Mexican 

 cloak over them ; he carried in his belt a sword ready sharp- 

 ened, to cut his w T ay through the creeping plants ; w^hile 

 over his shoulder was passed the strap of a game-pouch, 

 containing a, knife, a cup, and a change of under-clothing. 

 The broad-brimmed hat, or sombrero^ on his head, gave him 

 a most determined air. I had almost forgotten the famous 

 travelling-staff which for the last two days had been re- 



