CAMP LIFE. 291 
pleasure, the sportsman's trip would be one long torture. 
People have been known to be completely disfigured by 
tlieir bites, and I have had my neck as thoroughly gir- 
dled as though it had been done with a hot iron. Their 
bite inflames the blood, and if accompanied with the free 
use of ardent spirits, may produce unpleasant conse- 
quences. Let no man through foolhardiness brave their 
attacks, thinking he can rough it and not give way 
before such pitiful insects ; as brave and strong men as 
ever lived have had their pleasure destroyed by these 
curses of our country, and he will repent his rashness, if 
not in sack-cloth and ashes, in blood and misery. I 
have seen a hard-working man so worn out by their 
attacks as to fall fast asleep standing up leaning against 
a rock in a hot July sun, that by its excessive warmth 
had for the moment driven the torments away. He wore 
a veil, but not being properly arranged, the flies could 
climb up its folds, and it was little protection. 
One may well ask how is it possible to defend oneself 
from such irrepressible villains ; nor can it be done per- 
fectly ; with the best precautions there will be enough 
to try nerve and temper. Gauntlets of leather drawn 
above the wrists over the coat sleeve will, though rather 
warm, eftectually protect the hand, and when oppressive, 
may be cooled by being dipped in water. A veil is the 
best thing for the face ; a piece of elastic run round the 
top will enable you to slip it over your straw hat and 
fasten it above the brim, which will keep it out from the 
face ; a spring w^ire or whalebone hoop sewed in a few 
inches below, will keep it oft' your nose, and another 
piece of elastic round the bottom will hold it tight around 
