A MISERABLE NIGHT. 185 



and had just concluded to be quite happy, when we dis- 

 covered a number of Indians on the river, spearing salmon 

 by torch-light, and as it was after midnight, and the 

 heathens were spearing on our fishing ground, we mourn- 

 fully concluded that our morning's sport was at an end. 

 But while in the very midst of this agreeable mood of 

 mind a lot of skylarking musquitoes discovered our retreat, 

 and we were again besieged. We now endeavoured to find 

 relief on board the boat which had brought us from the 

 Saguenay, and here it was that we spent the two last 

 hours of that most miserable night. Though not exactly in 

 a fitting condition to throw the fly with any degree of com- 

 fort, we made an effort after salmon in the morning, and 

 succeeded in kilhng a portion of the thirteen already 

 mentioned. That we enjoyed a good breakfast which we 

 had prepared for our especial benefit, and that we departed 

 from the Esquemain as soon as possible, are facts which I 

 consider self-evident.' 



" The only part of this story which I do not believe to 

 be overdra^vn is that which relates to the anguish inflicted 

 by the musquitoes and black-flies," said the Priest. 



" I perfectly agree with you," added the Commissioner ; 

 " once their poison is absorbed into the system it produces 

 not only local pain and intolerable itching, but a depression 

 of spirits and despondency which can only be compared to 

 the last stage of hypochondriasis, and any attempt to alleviate 

 these painful effects by artificial stimulants, such as wine, 



