ipe, and
will dry hanging to the stems which have nourished them. This method is
as simple as it is expeditious, but could only be put into practice in
countries where winter is nothing but a spring."

Behind the maize-field there was a hedge covered with long filaments of
a golden-yellow color. These filaments, which were entirely devoid of
leaves, grew all over the shrubs almost like a thick cloak.

"What is the name of this wonderful plant?" asked Lucien.

"It is the _sacatlascale_," answered Torribio.

"It is a sort of dodder," added Sumichrast, "a plant of the Convolvulus
family. The European species is destroyed, because it twines round
certain vegetables and chokes them. Here, however, the _sacatlascale_ is
allowed to grow, because some use has been found for it."

"What could be made of these stalks, which are so delicate that they
break if I merely touch them?"

"They are first bruised, and then dried in the sun," replied Torribio.
"When they want to dye a black or yellow hue, all they have to do is to
boil the paste in iron, or mix it with alum."

While we were climbing the banks of the ravine, Lucien availed himself
of such a good opportunity by smearing his hands all over with this
bright yellow substance. When we reached a certain height, we lay down
on the grass. With one glance we could take in the whole of this small
oasis. The stream meandered along, shaded with green trees; here and
there, among clumps of Bourbon palms, we could discern huts irregularly
dotted about. I turned my eyes towards our host's threshold, and,
through my glass, perceived l'Encuerado, who was still preaching. He had
evidently left off chanting, for his hearers were seated round him on
the ground.

Lucien took possession of the telescope, and I noticed that Torribio
also seemed very anxious to try the instrument. I told the boy to lend
it to him. Our guide, seeing trees brought so close to him, could not at
first account for this optical effect. I then directed the glass so that
he could see the group of Indians, and I never saw any human face
manifest such complete surprise. The Indian, who appeared perfectly
charmed, could not long maintain his gravity. Every time he succeeded in
discovering a hut, he hardly gave himself time to look at it, but rolled
on the ground bursting with laughter. Two or three times I put out my
hand to take back the telescope, but Torribio hugged it to his breast,
just like a child when any on