ichrast went so
far as to suggest that, after such a disturbed night, it would be better
to spend another day in our charming retreat.

"That's the way," I answered, "in which effeminacy gets the better of
energy, and cowardice of courage! Let us behave with more boldness, and
not be seduced into delaying our journey."

My companion accepted the reproof, and without further delay our party
were _en route_.

The stream pointed out to us the road we were to follow; along the edge
of it, sheltered by the bushes and enlivened by the birds which were
fluttering about the banks, we shaped our course. Sumichrast showed us
some dahlias--the flower which would be so perfect if it only possessed
a perfume. It is a perennial in Mexico, whence it has been imported into
Europe, and there grows to a height of about three feet, producing only
single flowers of a pale yellow color. By means of cultivation,
varieties have been obtained with double flowers of a hundred different
tints, which are such ornaments in our gardens. Many a Mexican, who
imports dahlias at a great expense, has not the least idea that the
plant is indigenous to his own soil.

The roots of the dahlia, salted and boiled, are eaten by the Indians; it
is a farinaceous food of a somewhat insipid taste. Certainly, the wild
potato is not much better; and who can tell whether cultivation, after
having enriched our gardens with its beautiful flowers, may not also
furnish our tables with the bulbs of this plant rendered more succulent
by horticulture.

The course of the stream described numerous windings, and the desire of
keeping on its margin frequently diverted us from our direct path; at
last it doubled round short to the left, and I bade farewell to it as if
to a friend, but, nevertheless, preserved a hope that its capricious
course would again bring it back in our path.

Our road now commenced to ascend, sometimes crossing glades or groves.
Suddenly a wide prairie opened out before us, and Sumichrast led the
way through its tall reeds. After a quarter of an hour's walking, our
guide began to sneeze; Lucien followed his example, then came
l'Encuerado's turn, and at last mine, and ultimately Gringalet's. These
repeated salvos were received with shouts of laughter and "God bless
you," often repeated; but a sharp tingling in the throat and eyes was
soon added to the sneezing.

"I say," cried my friend, "what does this joke mean?"

I looked round me more carefull