him, he observes that he has suddenly become an object of mingled curiosity and respect on the part of the villagers.  The cause of this prominence is a mystery to him until he learns that during his absence his friend had spread the rumor that he is a civil engineer who has come to make a definite survey of the line of the Asuncion and Villa Rica Railroad, which, although it was completed only to Paraguari, was originally intended to extend to Villa Rica, taking Ibitimi in its route.  Thus become a great man in the little community, M. Forgues is besought by the political chief of the village—­a functionary who fulfills the duties of mayor—­almost the only male adult in Ibitimi, to command his services.  These services are pressed on him with so much warmth that he is fain to seek relief from this persecuting hospitality by announcing his desire to sleep that night under the canopy of heaven.  Consequently, a bed of girths is carried out into the public square for his use, a sort of leather ticking is stretched on it, and he sleeps quietly with his face to the stars.

[Illustration:  View of Ibitimi]

A long day’s journey to Villa Rica lies before our traveler and his companion, and so they rise early while the moon is still brightly shining.  They bid the friendly political chief farewell, and take their departure for Villa Rica.  As they emerge from the village the moon silvers with its pure light the tops of the palms and of the bushes that line the road.  Away from Ibitimi their course lies through a pretty forest, wherein the party is increased by the addition of two Paraguayans on horseback, one of them armed with a long sword, and of a Paraguayan woman, who rides her horse man-fashion.  A few miles farther on they come to a vast marsh, a common feature of the topography of Paraguay, and one of the great drawbacks to travel in the country, for when the rains fall these marshes become dangerous and impassable, and the traveler is compelled to go miles out of his way to turn them before he can continue his journey.  The lagoon which lies before them on this occasion, however, is empty, and they are thus saved the detour of more than ten leagues which they would be compelled to make if it were filled with water.  The sun, dispersing the last vestige of the morning fog, rises in a clear blue sky, and this spectacle they witness from a slight eminence, in front of which extends an immense plain with its limit at the bank of the Tebicuari-mi, the waters of which shine like a mirror.

M. Forgues now begins to enter a stretch of wooded country in which the solitude of the day previous is replaced by a thickly-settled region, wherein are to be seen in quick succession a multitude of pretty ranchos nestled in the foliage.  The day before, on the journey from Paraguari to Ibitimi, scarcely ten persons had been met with, but now they pass groups of men—­the fact is more noticeable because of the rarity of men in Paraguay—­and women.