228 CAMP-FIRES OF A NATURALIST. 



cloth and then hung to a limb as an offering. A 

 number of fleshing-bones and other implements used 

 by the Indians were found. 



The purpose of this trip was to hunt moose, but it 

 soon appeared to develop into a fight with mosquitoes 

 for twenty-four hours each day. The experience of 

 the first night in the swamp was repeated every night 

 thereafter until the frost killed the insects. The 

 ponies were sewed up in heavy blankets from head 

 to foot, and smudge fires were kept constantly burn- 

 ing that the suffering animals might stand in the 

 smoke. The tent was pitched and banked down so 

 tightly on all sides that it was impossible for the in- 

 sects to enter. Then with a lighted candle every 

 mosquito inside the tent was tried by fire. It was 

 stifling inside the tent, but it was torment on the 

 outside. During the night the horses threshed 

 around among the bushes, rolling, kicking, squeal- 

 ing, and tumbling about in their efforts to rid 

 themselves of the pests, and at last one of the animals 

 got down and began rolling in the ashes of the fire. 

 This proceeding was due to the fact that the smudge 

 fire had burned low, and Dyche prepared to go out to 

 start the fire again. Brown endeavoured to dissuade 

 him, but it was necessary to relieve the horses or they 

 might tear down the tent. Covering himself, head 

 and hands, with cheese-cloth, the naturalist went to 

 the remains of the fire. The air was thick with 

 mosquitoes. The warm blankets of the horses were 

 literally hidden by the insects. The tent was so com- 

 pletely covered that not a sign of white could be seen 

 anywhere. The droning noise changed into a 



