352 THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG NATURALIST. 



night, so as to avoid crossing the plain during the heat of 

 the day. I now hastened our own departure. We were 

 in possession of good hats, but our garments, which had 

 been mended with some soft leather, gave us the appearance 

 of mendicants ; this, however, did not trouble us much. 

 My sh©es, and also Sumichrast's, had been strongly, if not 

 elegantly, repaired, and were quite as good as new ; Lu- 

 cien, too, now possessed a pair of spare sandals. 



The inhabitants of the little colony ranged along our path, 

 and, overwhelming us with good wishes, bid us another 

 adieu. I pressed all the hands that were held out to me, 

 and then, guided by the band of children, who still sur- 

 rounded the young traveller, we commenced to ascend the 

 path which had led us down into this hospitable little oasis. 

 When I reached the summit of the hill, I waved my hat as 

 a last salutation to Coyotepec ; l'Encuerado fired off his gun 

 as a farewell, and we plunged into the labyrinth of cactuses, 

 taking a straight course towards the east. 



