Alas! thought I, before morning I shall be devoured.

I was mortally tired and sleepy, but I reached for the whip and plied it lazily from side to side; but I soon found nothing but a constant and most vigorous application of the whip could hold them at bay one moment.

I had heard that this type of pig was very combative when thwarted in its desires, and they seemed in such sore need of relief that I thought there was danger of their jumping into the carriage and attacking me.

This thought was more terrifying than that of the fleas, so I decided to go to sleep and let them alone to scratch at their pleasure.

I had a sad night of it, and never tried the carriage again, though I had many equally miserable experiences within four walls.
After one of these border meetings we stopped another night with a family of two bachelor brothers and two spinster sisters.