"It is a very curious thing," remarked Kéraban, "that only the female insect attacks man."
"I think I can understand that," remarked Bruno, rubbing himself.
"I believe we should do well to get into the chaise," said Van Mitten; "we shall be devoured if we remain here."
"The countries of the Lower Danube are particularly plagued with these gnats, and one ought to sprinkle one's bed and clothing with powder of pyrites."
"Of which we have not a grain," remarked Van Mitten.
"Precisely," answered Kéraban. "But who could have foreseen that we should have been stranded in the marshes of the Dobroutcha?"
"No one, friend Kéraban."
"I have heard it stated," continued Kéraban, “that a colony of Crimean Tartars, to whom the government had made a concession in this delta, was obliged to be broken up in consequence of the attacks of these gnats."
"After our own experience, the tale does not seem improbable," replied Van Mitten.
"Let us get into the carriage again," said Kéraban.
"We have remained out too long already," said his friend, as the mosquitos came buzzing round in myriads, beating their tiny wings thousands of times in a second.
Just as Kéraban and his friend were about to enter the chaise, the former said,—
"As we have nothing to fear, had not Bruno better remain outside and wait the return of the postillion?"
"He will not object," said Van Mitten.
"I will not object because it is my duty to obey," replied Bruno. "But I shall be eaten alive."
"No," replied Kéraban. "I am informed that these gnats never bite twice in the same place; so that Bruno will soon be free from their attacks."
"Yes, when I have been bitten in a million places," said Bruno.
"That is what I mean," retorted Kéraban.
"But may I not, at any rate, keep watch in the 'dicky'?" asked Bruno.
