y, and discovered that we were surrounded
with euphorbia plants.

But this mishap soon became a most serious affair, as the sneezing
seemed as if it never would end, and our skin, eyes, and mouth commenced
to burn as if in a fever. On this occasion we did not care even to
construct a hut or light a fire, but were only too glad to lie down on
the bare cold ground, and seek in sleep some respite from our
sufferings.

Lucien, although very exhausted, endured his sufferings with such
courage as made me proud of him. Uncomplaining, he soon went off to
sleep; but to myself and companions such a luxury was refused.

At length, almost desperate, I woke up the Indian. Our faces had
continued to swell, but the Mistec, regarding me with a stupefied look,
simply grunted, and turned round to sleep again. However, it became
important that we should have a fire lit to enable us to prepare our
coffee: as for eating, I looked upon it as an impossible matter. With a
slowness and awkwardness which I could not overcome, I succeeded in
lighting some dry branches, and at length in making the water boil. I
then called my companions; they drank the refreshing beverage, without
showing any sign that they were conscious of the service I was rendering
them, for immediately afterwards they again went to sleep.

It was at least ten o'clock by the sun when Lucien set us the example of
rising. Suffering as we were, it was no use to think of resuming our
journey; so we made a virtue of necessity, and remained stationary until
we felt more fit to endure fatigue.

In the afternoon, Sumichrast and Lucien complained that they were
famished, which was an excellent symptom; so we took our guns, and,
following in Indian file, ascended the course of the stream.

We met with several pools of water, and then rocks strangely piled on
one another, which had slipped down from the mountains above. I climbed
the bank, feeling disposed to be content with the first game which
presented itself. However, I could see nothing but some toucans, far too
wary to get within gunshot of. At last a squirrel presented itself--a
poor pittance for five hungry stomachs.

Sumichrast, who had gone on in front, suddenly stopped, and signed to us
to be quiet. I glanced down the stream, and, near a hole full of water,
I discovered an agouara, or washer raccoon, squatted down, dipping its
paws into the water, and rubbing them together energetically.
L'Encuerado fired; it gave a bo