BED-BUGS. 99 



to the eastward from Java, about a thousand miles 

 from our present locality — a long journey in the eyes 

 of a landsman, but to us, who for months had been 

 tossed and banged about at the caprice of the wind 

 and wave, it was but a part of our customary life ; the 

 trip presenting no more perils than our ordinary 

 daily occupation. And then again, the sea watches, 

 which are always stood when sail is carried, afford a 

 pleasant variation, the long-continued quarter watches 

 having become extremely tiresome. Many slung 

 their hammocks on deck, the excessive heat of 

 the weather and the bed-bugs combined — the latter 

 being ahvaj'S in great numbers in old ships — driving 

 them from their usual sleeping apartments. I re- 

 member seeing our Portuguese appear on deck one 

 night nearly nude, rubbing himself most vigorously, 

 and swearing volubly in his own language. On my 

 inquiring of him as to what was the matter, he an- 

 swered, that " The darned bread boxes would not let 

 him sleep." A dozen remedies were proposed with 

 the utmost apparent seriousness. One advising him 

 to catch them and drown them ; another to pull 

 their teeth out ; whilst a third advised him to smear 

 his bed and bed-clothes with tar, for then they would 

 Btick fast and be unable to get at him. Jeering and 

 pestering the poor fellow until glad to be rid of his 

 tormentors on deck, he returned to his uncomfort- 

 able couch, and resigned himself to the tender 

 mercies of his tormentors below. 



On our passage up to Balli, which climate has the 

 reputation of being very unhealthy, the captain ad- 

 vised a thorough cleansing and whitewashing of the 

 forecastle. No sooner said than done. The try works 



