The air about him had been suddenly blackened by an incredible swarm of insects that issued in dense clouds from the low growth bordering the stream, and attacked the unfortunate youth with the fury of starvation.
"What's the matter ?" inquired White innocently, as his companion rushed past him towards the open.
"Matter!" retorted the other.

"I'm on fire with the bites of these infernal things, and we want to get out of here in a hurry or they'll sting us to death." "Oh, pshaw!" laughed White, though he also was suffering greatly.
"You've only struck a few ordinary Labrador mosquitoes and black flies." "Mosquitoes and black flies!" cried Cabot.

"Hornets and red-hot coals, you'd better say.

How can you stand them?
Your skin must be thicker than sole leather." "I can't very well," admitted White, "but this cask has got to be filled, and the sooner we do it the quicker we can get away.

Break off a couple of leafy branches to fight with and then keep 'em off both of us as well as you can.