th l'Encuerado. I was, however, quite
sure that he would not renew the exploit which had displeased me, and
that was all I wished.

At supper-time, Gringalet did not show any repugnance to the flesh of
the armadillo, the taste of which reminded Lucien of sucking-pig.

"Are armadillos very scarce?" he asked; "they are never sold in the
market."

"Just the contrary," replied Sumichrast; "they are very common, and the
Indians never fail to feast on them when they can procure them."

"What does the name armadillo mean?"

"It is a Paraguayan word, the meaning of which is, 'encased in armor.'
The Aztecs call the animal _ayotochitl_, that is, 'gourd-rabbit'--'rabbit'
on account of its ears, and 'gourd' because, when it rolls itself up in
a ball, it reminds one of that vegetable."

L'Encuerado had gone to sleep. Lucien soon went into the hut, and I
noticed that Sumichrast carefully arranged the leaves which were to form
our bed, although he himself lay down anywhere. I was much less inclined
for sleep than my companions, and contemplated them all reposing;
reflecting on the strange chance which united, under the same shelter,
in the midst of the wilderness, persons born of such distinct races and
in such different climates. We could all surely depend on one another,
for in previous expeditions our mutual friendship had been put to the
proof. Seeing how well Lucien bore the fatigue, I rejoiced that I had
brought him under the protection of such good guardians. When I entered
the hut to seek repose, I disturbed Gringalet, who, before lying down
again by his young master, licked his hand: here was another devoted
friend--"the dog, which combines all man's better qualities," as Charlet
observes.

[Illustration]

FOOTNOTE:

[K] That is, a plant devoid of _lobes_.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VIII.

A VULTURE'S FEAST.--DRAGON'S BLOOD.--A CORAL SERPENT.--THE OWL.--MEXICAN
MOLES.--TOUCANS.--THE SCOLOPACIDAE.--L'ENCUERADO TURNED TAILOR.--SUNSET.

We left our bivouac at daybreak, first ascending and then descending,
sometimes making our way through thickets and other times through
glades; suddenly a flock of vultures attracted our attention. A hideous
spectacle was now presented to our eyes. A _coyote_--doubtless that
which l'Encuerado had wounded the day before--lay half devoured on the
ground, and more than fifty guests were coming in turn for their share,
and to tear, in turn, a strip of flesh from the carcass.