SOME OF THE WILD THINGS 



a saucy, independent way of looking at me, 

 as much as to say, " Are you the hermit ? " 

 A movement on my part toward a club sent 

 the snake into the bushes. Throughout one 

 season I tried my best to kill that black snake 

 without success. The next year he did not 

 appear. Very few snakes came out of winter 

 quarters that spring. 



Another black snake had determined to 

 swallow a pet toad. The toad was a monster, 

 and had escaped several times, but his hind 

 legs were badly scarred. The toad would 

 come to me for protection. Usually he would 

 hop on to my feet when pursued. The snake 

 was too crafty, to come near enough for me to 

 use my snake-club. I was telling some visitors 

 from the city about the toad and snake, when 

 one young lady expressed a strong desire to 

 see a live snake. While we were talking, I 

 heard the toad cry out, and I knew that the 

 snake was after him. I told my visitors to 

 keep quiet and they would see the toad come 

 to me for protection. The young lady that 

 wanted to see a live snake gathered up her 

 205 



