It was impossible to flee from them, and they appointed their breakfasts and lunches at times most inconvenient to myself.
If I were Emperor of Russia I would issue a special edict expelling fleas from my dominions and ordering that the labor expended in scratching should be devoted to agriculture or the mechanic arts.

I suggested that the engines should be removed from the Ingodah and a treadmill erected for the fleas to propel the boat.

There have been exhibitions where fleas were trained to draw microscopic coaches and perform other fantastic tricks; but whatever their ability I would wager that the insects on that steamboat could not be outdone in industry by any other fleas in the world.
One of my standard amusements was to have a grand hunt for these lively insects just before going to bed, and I have no doubt that the exercise assisted to keep me in good health.

I used to remove my clothing, which I turned inside out and shook very carefully.

Then I bathed from head to foot in some villainous brandy that no respectable flea would or could endure; after this ablution was ended, I donned my garments, wrapped in my blanket, and proceeded to dream that I was a hen with thirteen chickens, and doomed to tear up an acre of ground for their support.
[Illustration: TAIL PIECE--SCENE ON THE RIVER].