326 NIMROD OF THE HE A; OR, 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



Cockroaches as Hunters of the wicked Flea, and as Scavengers. Swarm- 

 ing Schools of Albicore. First Japan Whale raised. Tame Whales. 

 Darkness approaching. Lost Whale. A Gale of Wind, and Trouble 

 in holding Whale. Slaughter of Sharks. Sharks suggested for the Am- 

 phitheatre. Cutting-in under Difficulties. Animal Life surrounding us. 

 Sword-fish and Albicore. Taking the Sword-fish. Whales lost and 

 taken. Active Work in the Boats. Whales every Day. Bill's first 

 Chance. An exciting Approach, and one hit. Gam with the Caroline, 

 of London. Musical Inharmony, and a How. We are ordered in to the 

 Boat, where the Song is finished. Fourth of July Celebration. 



A WONDERFUL institution, fearfully made, is the cockroach 

 of the tropics. His chief recommendation is his insane pur- 

 suit of the flea. At times, in Spanish ports, a man succeeds 

 in capturing a host of the latter insects, and the first night 

 thereafter the roaches make a happy hunting-ground of his 

 person. The unfortunate flea 1 is allowed no rest until he 

 takes refuge in some crack too small for his pursuer to en- 

 ter. At the entrance the roaeh will keep watch until the 

 flea is compelled by hunger to venture forth, when it is 

 seized and destroyed. But it is a horrible experience to 

 awaken at night, in a climate so warm that a finger-ring is 

 the utmost cover you can endure, with the wretched sensa- 

 tion of an army of cockroaches climbing up both legs in 

 chase of some Spanish unfortunate ! It reminds me of how 

 many times I have placed my tin plate in the overhead net- 

 tings of the forecastle, with a liberal lump of duff reserved 

 from dinner, and on taking it down at supper, have found it 

 scraped clean by the .same guerillas. They leave no food 

 alone, and have a nasty odor, which hot water will scarcely 



