Squatter sovereign., 1855-09-04

ne WlSneQ HE SOOu uiSSHl, anu IeuIeos
Though not naturally timorous or mis-
giving, had heard so much in the last
few days. Of the robberies and outrages
committed by the Indians, after looking the
door, and looking under the bed, thought
it prudent to take a, close survey of the
large, rambling. old fashioned apartment
to which had been consigned. mo jut-
ting frieze, buttrice, or coigne ofvantage,"
could find that might screen a robber,
except recess beside ponderous ward
robe. which | explored with my candle !;
and closet, with and unscreened window,
but at such hight from the ground as to
preclude entrance in that direction, and to
reconcile me to the want Of a look on the
closet door. Having taken these precau-
tons, and placed within my reach a night
lamp consisting in a wick. floating in a
cup of oil. ] retired to bed, and being eA-
hausted with my Journey soon fell asleep,
hoping to enjoy good nights rest.
But, alas! what are the hopes of NOR
tails! Not more than two hours had elaps.
ed when / awoke under a sense of intoler-
able irritation, and starting up and throw
ing back the clothes, found that whole
army Of little black feas had been perfor-
ming their gymnastic exercise upon my
unfortunate body = an annoyance bad
enough in itself, but rendered ten times
more provoking by my inability to catch one
of the ,ruculent sleep murderers, so rapid
ly did they describe their wingless flights,
and skip not only out Of my reach, but ou,
of sight. Never had l witnessed so mar
vellous and sud len transferance from any
where to nowhere. Like the Weird Sis
tiers ''they make themselves air into which
they vanish" 1t has been computed that
if an elephant had the same Statutory pow
er as the flea in proportion to the bulk, the
aerial traveller trunk and all, might easily
leap over Mount Blame, he could not, how
ever jump into invisibility-I almost said
into nonenty-for when looked for my
tormentors, 10! /! they were not and vet
they were so numerous that If they had
been aware that in union theiris strength,
and combined their efforts; verify be-
lieved they might have pushed me out OF
bed. In hope that my sudden uprising,
and the light of the lamp, had scared them
from their fell purpose of compelling me to
do penance In white sheet, I recommitted
myself to the bed land endeavored to resume
my slumbers; but it seemed if my imagi-
nation was flea bitten, for it suggested
nothing but anecdotes bearing reference to
those volatile assailants i.
Like the sentimental hero of many noy-
els, l had ''retired to rest but not to Sleep
Morpheus would not recognize ten min
ute doze at any legitimate exercise of his
influence, and fit the end of that respite, I
was again awakened by an attack, which
added insult TO insult, for it was a fierce
assault upon my nose, universally ac-
knowiedged to be the former seat of honor.
Equally provoked by the sharpness and
the locality of the bite. | pounced my nail
upon the spot SO passionately, as to scratch
off portion of the skin, unskillfully as to
miss the assailant whom had hoped to
seize and sacrifice. Haste and anger had
only aggravated the evil I sought to RENE
dy. had removed the cover as it were
from the dish, tempting the marauder to a
fresh repast, and sharpening his APPETITE,
while / had less defence against his pro-
boscis. Scarcely therefore had begun to
doze, when felt the painful insertion of
his blood sucking apparatus into the most
sensitive part of the excoriation. but my
last failure having warned me. against pre-
cipitation. resolved to. arrest HIM in the
most gentle, noiseiess, winning manner
possible. Vain precaution. The frs,
slow movement of my arm occasioned him
TO throw an astounding somerset, whence
he descended upon part to the white sheet
brightly irradia,ed by the light; seizlng
this favorable opportunity I darted upon
my prey. grasped with my finger and
thumb. and ere he could well be aware of
his seizure, had plunged him into the oil
of the lamp. 4 es
Revenge is suicidal my conscience
was fee bitten, and my self-upbraidings
assumed mournful turn. My victim per-
hsps had left an affectionately attached
spouse, the faithful partner of his jumps
and joys, who. from her hiding place In the
bed clothes might have seen the impend-
ing calamity. And this affectionate crea-
ture had suddenly made widow. Fam
cy pictured her like Niobe, all tears IS
crawling away. and finally dying of 3 bro
ken heart just as she came within sight of
home. Home. what scene was coniu-