WILD DAHLIAS.—A PAINFUL MISADVENTURE.—THE EUPHORBIA PLANTS.—THE WASHER RACCOON.—SURPRISED BY A TORRENT.—L'ENCUERADO TURNED HAT-MAKER.—NEW METHOD FOR DRIVING OUT EVIL SPIRITS.—THE ANHINGA.
The next day, which was the nineteenth since our departure from Orizava, we examined and compared our compasses, and the course of our journey was changed. Hitherto we had proceeded in a north-easterly direction, skirting the provinces of Puebla and Vera Cruz, but still without leaving the Cordilleras, the numerous valleys and forests of which are still unexplored. According to my calculations, and also those of Sumichrast, we were then abreast with the province of Mexico, and we agreed to move westward, as if going towards its capital.
"Why are we not to continue to keep straight on?" asked Lucien.
"Because our journey must have some limit," I replied. "Up to the present time we have only traversed what is called the Terre-Tempérée; we shall now soon reach the Terre-Froide, and in three or four days we shall again encounter habitations."
"Shall we see any people there?"
"I hope so; don't you like the idea of it?"
"I don't object to it; but it will seem so very strange to look again at houses and men."
"Oh dear!" cried Sumichrast; "you have become a perfect little savage."
"Travelling about on foot is so amusing, that I should be glad if the journey lasted a very long time—that is, if I had a chance now and then of kissing mamma."
"Poor Sunbeam!" said Sumichrast; "I can't help thinking of next year when you are at school. You will then often think of your present life."