MOSQUITOES. 349 



an early approach to the finish. Carefully I backed out, 

 step by step, feeling cautiously the inequalities of the 

 ground, till I stood on terra firma. My attendant per 

 mitted excitement to cause him to act too precipitously, 

 and the splash of the net instilled fresh vigor into my vic- 

 tim's now exhausted frame. Game to the last, another ef- 

 fort was made for life, and with an impetuous rush he again 

 started for his time-honored, watery haunts. With a nerv- 

 ous grasp on my rod, I was prepared to give him line ; but 

 imagine my astonishment when the slack returned to my 

 hand, minus hooks and leader! The swivel had parted 

 one I had actually purchased in the Strand, London and, 

 with a rueful countenance, I stood the picture of despera- 

 tion. I doubt if the physiognomy of Harms over the ruins 

 of Carthage could have looked more doleful. On my way 

 home, talking the matter over with my fidus Achates, we 

 agreed upon the verdict of " served me right," for attempt- 

 ing to immolate so noble a victim in such an ignoble man- 

 ner; and doubly was I convinced of the time-honored French 

 adage, " L'homme propose et Dieu dispose." 



But let not the enthusiast run away with the idea that 

 in Maine there are no drawbacks to pleasure, that sport is 

 found without an alloy, for the pests of every new land here 

 swarm black flies, mosquitoes, and sand-flies; but fortu- 

 nately their reign of terror does not exist over six weeks. 

 The first (the black fly), which is about the size of a small 

 house-fly, and not dissimilar in appearance, is a perfect can- 

 nibal, refusing to be driven away, willingly immolating him- 

 self in his thirst for blood, and drawing blood whenever he 

 can obtain a footing: up your trowsers, down your shirt- 

 sleeves or collar, everywhere he will get at his victim. Kill 

 them by thousands, the phalanxes, apparently undiminish- 

 ed, will return to the attack ; and even domestic animals do 

 not escape. The unfortunate cow that had been driven up 



