CHAPTER II. 
THE LIFE-HABITS OF SNAKES, 
My heart is awed within me when I think 
Of the great miracle that still goes on 
In silence, ’round me; the perpetual work of Thy crea- 
tion. 
During the winter of ’93 I spent many days 
in most profitable association with the “old 
hermit;” and I learned much of Nature’s 
mysteries from his wide experience and exten- 
sive knowledge. I never left the hermitage, 
however, without casting one tender glance at 
the beautiful face that smiled down on me from 
its place on the wall. It seemed to inspire me 
with an inexpressibly happy conviction that 
somewhere, at some time in the near future, it 
would be my sacred privilege under Providence 
to enjoy the thrice blessed opportunity to meet 
the original of that enchanting picture, and to 
be in God’s hands the honored instrument to 
return a long lost idolized daughter to a sad 
and grief worn, yet still hopeful father. 
Professional duties had prevented my pres- 
ence at the hermitage for several weeks. 
Finally I succeeded in my efforts to sever all 
exacting demands on my time that prolonged 
my absence from the “old hermit,” and I made 
arrangements of such a character as to allow 
me the rich enjoyment of a protracted visit 
