34 Bo^-Trotting for Orchids 



but softly stole away, leaving him still cunningly sleep- 

 ing, in waiting for prey, beside that gorgeous Moccasin- 

 Flower. 



I now regarded with suspicion all the holes in the 

 soft mounds of moss, as the possible homes of snakes, 

 that might object to visitors in their Eden. Immense 

 ant-hills were numerous, and the occupants may have 

 afforded food for Satan's prototype in his idle hours. 

 Now and then the drum of a frightened partridge, giv- 

 ing her alarum, assured me that her brood of chickens 

 was hidden under the. leaves and logs not far distant. 

 It is very probable that snakes in these bogs devour 

 small birds and frogs, and lie in wait for them, as I 

 found the one that I had seen this morning. 



Before continuing my search, I secured a hardwood 

 staff, feeling safer with a cudgel of some kind in my 

 hand, in case I met Satan face to face. In my tussle 

 to sever the birch limb from the green tree, I snapped 

 off all the Venus Slippers that I had actually gathered 

 here. I was therefore no richer in actual specimens 

 upon my departure from the swamp than when I en- 

 tered it; but I carried away memories of that vast soli- 

 tude and slumbering desolation where foot of man, I 

 dare say, has seldom if ever been. 



Now well out of this swamp, I found myself on the 

 edge of an apple orchard, filled with rosy bloom and 

 the fragrance of happy May. A newly planted garden 

 bore witness to human life, and the long rows of potato- 

 hills spoke of industry. Passing through the gate, I 

 entered the East Pownal Road near the mill, and walk- 



