s seemed friendly in contrast--and the mosquitoes
were by no means considerate of our feelings and comfort either. We
had purchased some cheesecloth at Rigolet for face nets, but the trial
we had given it during the afternoon had proved that it was too closely
woven for us to see through it and do our work, and it was useful only
as some measure of protection for our ears and necks. On our faces we
also tried some "fly dope" that we had purchased in New York, but it
kept the pests away for a few minutes only.

The ordinary Labrador fly is smaller than a pinhead. You do not feel
it until after it has had its bite, and then the sensation is like that
of a fiery itch. In addition to this kind, we had to withstand the
attacks of flies called by the natives "bulldogs." These beasts are
about the size of the top joint of one's thumb. They are well named.
When they bite, you feel it immediately beyond a doubt. We used to say
they bit out pieces of our flesh entire and flew up into the trees to
eat them, and we used frequently to beg George to try his luck at
shooting the brutes. However, it must be said to the credit of both
kinds of flies that they have one good habit--they "knock off" work at
the approach of the cool of evening, thus giving you a chance to bathe
as well as sleep.

The rain was still pouring when we pitched our tent that first night,
but we had a good supper and were reasonably cheerful. There were
flapjacks dripping with the syrup of melted sugar, and bacon, and hot
bread, and coffee.

"With this sort of work before us," said Hubbard, "we must keep well
fed."

"The river," said I, "certainly is the limit. If the Indians have to
travel on it much, I feel sorry for them."

"Well," said Hubbard, "we've surely got our work cut out. At this rate
we're going to make pretty slow progress."

"Blake told us," I ventured, "we could paddle up the river eighteen or
twenty miles, and that he had sailed his boat up that far. I'd be
willing to bet he never sailed it up this stream."

"Oh," replied Hubbard, "he was mistaken in the distance. This must be
the place where he said the river tumbled off the mountain. What do you
say, boys," he added, "to throwing away some of the outfit? We'll
never make any progress if we attempt to carry it all."

"Let's stick to it a little longer," suggested George.

However, we decided to abandon some clothing and a pail containing
about four pounds of lard; and as Geor