having a most joyous holiday.

But our readers are not to understand that during all these months there
was nothing but continued enjoyment without some genuine hardships.
There were at times some very serious drawbacks, and the boys had to
muster up all their courage and face some annoyances that were
exasperating in the extreme. And these hardships and trials were as
likely to meet them when they would have rejoiced in refreshing slumber
as during the weariness of a heavy day's marching on the trail of some
game.

One of the great drawbacks to quiet slumber during the sultry hours of
the hot summer nights were those intolerable pests, the mosquitoes. At
times they were simply unendurable. They came in such multitudes that
they were irresistible. They presented their bills so importunately
that payment had to be made promptly in blood. Some nights the boys
could hardly sleep at all. Every expedient was tried to drive them off.
Smoke fires were kindled, and all other known remedies were tried, but
all in vain. Blistered hands, swollen faces, eyes that would only half
open, some mornings told of the long-continued, unsuccessful battles
that during the nights past had been fought; and, to judge from
appearances, the lads had been most thoroughly defeated. Said Sam one
morning, after a night of misery with the insatiable pests:

"I see now why the rascals are called pious animals--because they have
been singing over us and preying on us all the night; but in spite of
all their efforts I am sure I am none the better, but much the worse,
both in body and spirits."

"I say, Big Tom," said Alec, "what is the good of mosquitoes anyway?"

"To teach young white gentlemen patience, to see what stuff they are
made of," said the old man, while all were amused at his apt reply.

"We hardly notice them," continued Big Tom, in his slow, deliberate
manner; "and so it will be with you all after a time. Mosquitoes are
peculiar, and have their likes and dislikes. One of their likes is to
be fond of fresh blood, and so they go for the latest arrivals, and one
of their dislikes is not to care much for tough old Injun. When you
have been here some time, and have been bitten by a great many, you will
not mind them so much."

"How many?" said Frank.

"About a million," replied Big Tom, "though I don't know how many that
is."

This answer was too much for Sam, so he sprang up in a hurry and, in a
semi-tragic manner, exclai