motes of tbe 



moment, exclaimed "Snake! " I was terribly dis- 

 appointed, as I had hoped for an adventure, and 

 asked my companion if we were right. " That or 

 an eel," he replied, " and snake most likely." I 

 accepted the decision and was about to say some- 

 thing of the large water-snake of our river valley, 

 when Pullen exclaimed, " Look out there ! " and 

 pointed to the other side of the boat, which lay in 

 shadow. There on the oar was the snake, resting, 

 and in the dim light I could just make out that it 

 was one of the largest. 



" How big do they grow, Pullen," I asked; "as 

 long as the oar ? " 



" They 're only that long when they get in the 

 papers," he replied, and I could hear him chuckle 

 deep down in his throat. 



" Are you afraid of them ? " I then asked, in a 

 tone suggestive that I was, though I am not. 



" No, man, they 're all right. What have you 

 been doin' all your life not to know that ? Seems 

 to me you don't pan out much when you 're out 

 o' your house. What 's the matter ? " 



There was no use in explaining, and I was 

 greatly relieved when a sudden puff of wind came 

 from off shore, which roused my sluggish com- 

 panion so that he shook the oar and drove off the 

 snake. I did not venture on further questions, but 

 breathed in the rich odor of the ripened leaves 

 treasured sunshine of long summer days brought 

 to us by the breeze, and with it came, I am sure, 

 64 



