78 CRUSOE'S ISLAND. 



possible, hat pulled over my eyes, and gun held under 

 my arm to keep the breech dry, I was plodding up a 

 steep hillside, when I heard a whirr of warning, and 

 looking up saw a vicious snake gazing directly into 

 my eyes. The hill was so steep that, the snake being 

 about four or five feet away only, and above me, lie 

 was then on a level with my head. 



Without removing my gun from its position be- 

 neath my arm, I pulled the trigger at once, so excited 

 was I at the unexpected prospect of close quarters 

 with a serpent, with every advantage on his side. In- 

 stead of blowing his head to pieces, as I expected, the 

 charge tore the earth directly over it, and the ser- 

 pent, after brandishing the head which I had intended 

 to demolish, threateningly in my face, and darting out 

 with lightning-like rapidity a forked tongue, like a 

 flame of fire, slowly crawled away. 



I had another charge in my gun, and could have 

 reloaded in an instant, but was so surprised at the 

 failure of my aim, and so struck with the magna- 

 nimity of the serpent, that I stood irresolute, while he 

 crept away. He went off in triumph, too, turning now 

 and then to dart at me his glowing tongue, and to re- 

 mind me that it was only through his forbearance 

 that I was left without a modicum of poison in my 

 veins. 



Perhaps I am not of the heroic clay of which the 

 world's subduers are molded ; at all events, I was 

 more glad at my escape than desirous to fight that ser- 

 pent, and leaned against a tree, faint with emotion. 

 Quickly recovering myself, I plodded on, but now 



