CHAPTER XXI. 



BLACK SKINS AND WHITE SKINS. — WE HAYE TO TURN CAR- 

 PENTERS. l'eNCUERADO CHANTING AND PREACHING. 



THE PALM-LEAYES. VEGETABLE BUTTER TREE. 



rpHE dwelling so generously put at our disposal was a 

 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 rest- 

 ing-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 f urious at Gringalet's appear- 

 ance, but afterwards contented themselves with growling 

 whenever the intruder came near. 



When 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, previous- 

 ly playing about, went to dip themselves in the beautifully 

 transparent water. I told Lucien, who was dying to im- 

 itate them, to follow their example. He had hardly taken 

 off his shirt, when the young Indians, who had watched 

 him undress with evident curiosity, burst out laughing, and 

 chattered together like so many young paroquets. 



