THE AD VENTURES OF A YOUNG NATURALIST. 283 



" Why are we not to continue to keep straight on ?" ask- 

 ed Lucien. 



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

 " Up to the present time we have only traversed what is 

 called the Terr e- Temper ee ; we shall now soon reach the 

 Terre-Froide, and in three or four days we shall again en- 

 counter 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 w^ill seem so very strange to 

 look again at houses and men." 



" Oh dear !" cried Sumichrast ; " you have become a per- 

 fect 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 think- 

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

 often think of your present life." 



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

 holidays, 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 fin- 

 ish 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- Chaude 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. 

 Sumichrast went so far as to suggest that, after such a dis- 

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

 charming retreat. 



