MARTIN RATTLER. 185

destined to be blighted, at least in part. To the
victuals he did ample justice ; the pipe was delightful
and in good working order ; but when they lay down
to repose, they were attacked by swarms of stinging
ants, which the heat of the fire had driven out of the
old logs. These and mosquitoes effectually banished
sleep from their eyelids, and caused them to reflect
very seriously, and to state to each other more than
once very impressively, that, with all their beauties
and wonders, tropical lands had their disadvantages,
and there was no place like the “ould country”
after all.