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Updated: June 8, 2025
Sumichrast and Lucien then rose, and we decided to start the rainy season, which was approaching, rendering haste necessary. L'Encuerado, in spite of our remonstrances, insisted on shouldering the load; but, on raising the burden, he found he was unable, so I shouldered the load. At last, after no end of exertion on my part and Sumichrast's for we alternately bore it three leagues were traversed.
The more he struggled the worse he became entangled. He cried out to me in a most distressed voice, and not knowing what had happened, I lost no time in going back to him. I found him fighting hard against the thorns which were scratching his face and hands. L'Encuerado and Sumichrast also came to his assistance.
I heard him cutting at something with his machete; soon after he came up again, carrying a long stem of cane. "Now we'll try and fish up M. Sumichrast," said he.
"Well, if it comes near us again, I give you leave to shoot it." "You do? it's a bargain!" cried L'Encuerado. "Stop a minute, Tata Sumichrast; cock your gun, Chanito; you shall have the first shot." We stood together in a group, and I looked in vain for the cougar. "The rascal has got in front of us," added the Indian. "We'll astonish him in a moment.
"You need not have been afraid," said Sumichrast; "its ugliness is no proof that it is vicious. It will not attack human beings, and only makes use of its strength to defend itself. It is of the order Edentala, and akin to the armadilloes." "Does it eat any thing but ants?" asked Lucien. "Ants and other insects. "But how many ants does it take to satisfy it?"
"It is not the mountain, but the point from which you look at it, that has changed its appearance," replied Sumichrast. "But it looks much higher," said Lucien. "That is because we are nearer to it. From here we can discern the beautiful forest which surrounds its base as you ascend, the pines growing farther and farther apart, and gradually disappearing altogether.
Sumichrast examined a skull which he had picked up; its white and perfect teeth showed that it must have belonged to a man who died young. A few paces farther on five or six more skulls lay on the surface of the ground; they were inclosed in by fine stalactites, and appeared as if they were grinning at us through the bars of a dungeon.
Lucien actually mustered up a run, while his cheeks flushed and his eyes glistened with anticipation. "Here are grass and flowers! Forward! forward!" cried Sumichrast. "Forward!" Lucien re-echoed. The great trees, which were now farther apart, allowed the rays of the sun to penetrate the foliage, and the creepers drooped down in flowery festoons.
As far as was possible I followed the route I thought the meteor had taken. L'Encuerado was just making his way into the forest when Sumichrast noticed a broken tree, a little to the right.
An Indian girl warmed us a dozen of those maize-flour fritters, which are called tortillas, and are eaten by the natives instead of bread. She also brought us a calabash full of cooked beans, which hunger rendered delicious. "Why don't they serve the meat first?" asked Lucien. "Because they have none," replied Sumichrast. "Haven't these Indians any meat? Poor fellows! How will they dine, then?"
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