330 AMERICAN SNAKES. 



manner. At length he lifted up the reptile's head, 

 and induced it to repose upon his arm, ^^ithout exciting 

 the slightest symptom of anger or fear. 



The doctor began to grow rather alarmed for the 

 safety of his servant, and desired him to return 

 it at once to the cage ; but the old man was very 

 unwilling to comply. On approaching the cage the 

 snake began to show signs of anger, lifting up its 

 head, hissing, and working its rattles. The negro re- 

 commenced his incantations and soothing words, and 

 soon restored the snake to its original calmness. The 

 doctor was more alarmed than ever. It seemed that 

 the negro could not get rid of the reptile, though he 

 had charmed it. The old man, however, had a plan 

 in his head, and called for a sheet ; by moving it 

 gently to and fro he soon accustomed the reptile to 

 the sight of the strange object, and by dexterous 

 management slipped the edge of it beneath the 

 snake's body, between its coils and his arm, whist- 

 ling and singing more vigorously than ever while so 

 doing. When he had the sheet properly adjusted, 

 he skilfully and quickly rolled the reptile up in it, 

 after which a few rapid movements restored it to its 

 old quarters. 



The old negro ascertained that all the other snakes 

 had remained in the cao^e, and after receivinof a hand- 

 some present from the doctor, retired unharmed. He 

 declared, however, that it would be impossible to 



