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The Spirit-dance is held to be a sacred frenzy, and before it begins the biters are charged to hunt the woods for any who have not joined the army of dancers, and, if such are found, to bite them and tear their flesh with their teeth. They also guard the dance like sentinels, and fly at one who attempts to leave it before it is done.
Monstrous mangrove-flies and small brown-coloured 'huri, most spiteful biters, and wasps here and there, assail the canoe; and we are happy if we escape a swarm of the wild bees: their curious, treacle-like honey is enjoyed by the people. We landed in due time at 'Prinsi, whose civilised chief had laid out a clean path, lined with umbrella-figs backed by a bush of self-sown guavas.
But there was no rest there either. Their bodies were covered with ants and fleas, all with well-developed biters -and they bit! At first the Rangers did not realize the trick that had been played upon them. One who went back to the tent for his hat discovered the burlap sack that had been used in the 'possum hunt. He brought it out, holding it up before his companions.
"Did you know that Andrew was a vicious dog?" inquired Tutt. "No!" answered Mrs. Appleboy firmly. "I didn't." O woman! "That is all," declared Tutt with a triumphant smile. "Then," snapped Pepperill, "why did you send for him?" "I was lonely," answered Bashemath unblushingly. "Do you mean to tell this jury that you didn't know that that dog was one of the worst biters in Livornia?"
Within two minutes there was another strike. The same patient tactics, and Dick had another trout -this time a two-pounder as against about three quarters of a pound for the weight of the first trout. The third trout got away, despite the most careful handling, but the fourth and fifth biters were soon landed. "I can't stand this any longer," quivered Dave. "I've got to start in.
Meantime, I continued to stand on the oozy margin of the stream, beguiling the little fish; and though the scaly inhabitants of our river partake somewhat of the character of their native element, and are but sluggish biters, still I contrived to pull out not far from two dozen.
Meantime, I continued to stand on the oozy margin of the stream, beguiling the little fish; and though the scaly inhabitants of our river partake somewhat of the character of their native element, and are but sluggish biters, still I contrived to pull out not far from two dozen.
The fat baby turned the joke on us, and right smart at that. We're It. We're full of bugs -the worst biters anywhere between the Rio Grande and the northern border. Are we going to squeal? I reckon we aren't. We're going to stand here and let the biters do their worst. I'm mighty near eaten alive, but I'm taking my medicine and I reckon I'll be taking a lot more of the same dose before morning."
Well, I reckon, by the looks round, thet maybe they'll have ter huff it putty lively themselves, ef they git away from it. I've heerd of the biters gittin' bit themselves, afore now." Notwithstanding our misfortune, we could hardly help laughing at the sight of ourselves, as, with blacked faces, singed clothing, and blistered hands, we talked the matter over.
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