A WEIRD SITUATION. 65 



sometimes loud, at others suppressed, that were 

 really startling. On the upper banks of this dry- 

 course was a deep margin of trees, many of them 

 species with which my eyes were far from familiar, 

 and whose limbs and roots were twisted and twined 

 in the most perfect representation of numerous pen- 

 dant or gliding boa constrictors, or anacondas. 



I had placed my back against a rock, and at first 

 felt grateful for the rest, but as the final evidences of 

 daylight died out, I unquestionably commenced to 

 consider that I might have selected a place with 

 more lively surroundings. However, it would not 

 be worth changing my position now, I argued with 

 myself, Umpiqua or Sunday will be back imme- 

 diately, so hang the dismalness of the locality. This 

 was all very well — a very proper resolution indeed 

 — but when most unearthly noises reverberated, 

 of whose origin I had not the most remote idea, I 

 really commenced to feel — well, not to use too 

 strong a term — uncomfortable. If I endeavour to 

 describe the unknown voices that were being con- 

 stantly forced upon my ear, then the reader may 

 have a slight particle of sympathy for a matured— 

 very much matured — man feeling just a wee bit 

 nervous. First there was a whist! whist! whist! each 

 whispering of caution becoming louder and more 

 impressive, as if my silence was not only invoked 

 but ordered ; then would break in, " No you don't, 

 no you don't," after which would come a wild 



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