here they could rest with anything like comfort was
round the fires, the thick clouds of smoke rising from which helped to
keep off the myriads of mosquitoes which forthwith commenced an
onslaught on them. The officers assembled in the neighbourhood of one
of the fires, while the soldiers and sailors gathered round the others.

A person ignorant of the cause might have supposed that every man of the
party had been seized with Saint Vitus' dance--not a man could retain
his seat or keep his hands quiet for a moment, for while he tried with
one hand to get his food or a cup to his mouth, the other was employed
in slapping right and left, now at his cheek, now at his other hand or
at his feet, in vain endeavours to destroy his persevering foes; for the
instant a wreath of smoke blew to one side, a whole host of ferocious
insects darted forward to assail their victims on the other. Cigars and
pipes were quickly lighted, in the hopes of driving off the pests, but
in vain; the fumes of tobacco had but little effect, for if a puff drove
them off a man's nose, in an instant they attacked some other part of
his body.

In spite of this inconvenience, Murray had again to give the account of
his recent exploit, while the midshipmen recounted for the twentieth
time their adventures and imprisonment in Carthagena.

No sooner had night closed down on the camp than cries of all
descriptions came forth from the forest--the croaking of frogs, the
chirping of crickets, the howling of monkeys, mingled with strange
groans and shrieks, which made the seamen draw closer together, some,
even among the stoutest-hearted, declaring that without doubt the place
was haunted, while many a brave tar cast a glance over his shoulder,
expecting to see some fierce creature stalk out from among the trees.
At last Captain Hemming gave the order for all hands to turn in, with
such shelter as they had provided, and to get some sleep to prepare
themselves for the work of the next day. Some went on board the boats,
hoping to be free of the bites of the mosquitoes, though hopeless were
their efforts to escape from their tormentors.

The three lieutenants seated themselves side by side, while their young
relatives, the three midshipmen, had collected not far off.

"Well, I suppose we must go to sleep," said Tom Rogers, stretching
himself out. He had rolled up his flushing coat to serve as a pillow,
and prepared to enjoy as much comfort as circumstances wo