304 



THE ADVENTURESS OF 



agave, Mexicana, a wonderful plant, which is as useful to 

 the Mexicans as the cocoa-nut tree is to the inhabitants of 

 the lands to which it is indigenous." 



L'Encuerado had stooped down under a pepper-tree, and 

 his glance wandered over the scene. The fact was, that we 

 were now about the same height as that at which his own 

 country is situated, and he might easily fancy himself near 

 his native village. 



" What are you thinking of?" said I, tapping him on the 

 shoulder. 



" Oh Tatita ! why did you disturb me ? Here I feel my- 

 self almost as learned as you, and I could tell you all the 

 names of those flowers which turn their bright faces to- 

 wards me as if they knew me ! It seems as if I had often 

 walked on that plain, and as if I had often seen these trees, 

 bushes, and plants — You are laughing at me, Chanito ; 

 it's all very well, but you'll see ! Tatita will set me right 

 if I tell you any thing that is not true. Look here, for in- 

 stance," continued the Indian, rising up and plucking a 

 plant with slender and whitish stems ; " this is the alfileril- 

 lo y which mothers give their children to cure them of sore 

 throats. Such shrubs are lost here ; for their fruit would 

 be useful in my country. Here too, Chanito, is a mizquitl, 

 a thorny tree on which we shall be certain to find some 

 gum. Indeed, here are three morsels of it. You may safe- 

 ly suck it ; it will not seem very nice at first, but you will 

 soon like it. Oh Tatita ! you have really brought me back 

 into my own country." 



" We are certainly on the same line, and it is not to be 

 wondered at that you find here the same kind of vegetation 

 as in that in which you spent your childhood." 



The Indian was silent, and seemed musing. Sumichrast 

 and I observed him with some curiosity, and Lucien, sur- 

 prised at his emotion, looked at him anxiously. 



