382 DOTTINGS ON THE ROADSIDE. [Chap. XXIII.—E. P. 
scope, as well as the many useful articles it is desirable 
to have ready to hand, are suspended. Over the 
bottom planks is spread a mat to sit upon; while the 
blanket, pillow, hammock, and waterproof rolled up, 
form a good-sized sort of holster upon which to lean 
hack. 
Altogether, with the exception of the smallness of 
the space to move about in,—namely, six feet by three 
feet six inches,—the accommodation is not to he 
despised; indeed, I always preferred to sleep in my 
canoe, rather than take up my quarters in any of the 
habitations to he found on the river hanks or lake 
shores of Central Americaand I should strongly re¬ 
commend travellers to adopt the same plan, by which 
they would at least avoid making the acquaintance of 
fleas, hugs, jiggers, and garrapatoes, whose boldness 
is only exceeded in this country by their voracity, and 
whose persistent attacks are sure to deprive even the 
most weary traveller of his much-needed rest and 
sleep. 
The mosquitoes, also, so dreadfully troublesome on 
the San Juan river, are best kept off under the 
chowpa, to the framework of which it is easy to 
stretch the mosquito net, and then, tucking it in 
well between the mat and the planking, you may 
calmly watch the futile attempts of the enemy to 
effect an entrance. By the bye, I ought to mention 
that the sight of a mosquito at Blewfields or up the 
river is very rare. 
Having prepared an adequate shelter from the 
weather, it became necessary to provide the requisite 
