Build as a c++ project rather than python.  The Travis Python environment is fubar anyway and we have to build up our own Python environment from scratch.
Re-introduce 2.6 in build matrix, using distribution-supplied python version rather than building from scratch.  Use deadsnakes repository for python 2.6
Merge pull request #914 from oxtopus/build-in-travis-as-cpp-project

Build as a c++ project rather than python.