156 A POISONOUS COMPANION. 



and powder-horn. As I looked at my broken arm, 

 which was lying uselessly beside me, I saw a great 

 brown-looking thing lying over it. It was an instant 

 or so before I knew what was there; but then I saw 

 that it was the fat bloated body of a hideous puff-adder, 

 lying close against me, evidently for the sake of the 

 warmth. Why I did not shriek out I don't know, but 

 I never moved. This adder, then, was the thing that 

 I had .felt pressing against me for some time, and 

 this poisonous reptile had been my companion for 

 hours. 



" I kept my eyes on him, and could see a slight muscular 

 motion in his body every now and then like breathing; 

 the idea came across me that he was drinking the blood 

 of my wounds, and had perhaps already bitten me. I 

 felt that I must watch him, and could not look in any 

 other direction ; I dared not attempt another trial to get 

 up, as I might fall back on this brute, and get at once a 

 dose of his poison, and be dead in an hour. At last the 

 joyful sound of voices came upon my ear, and there was 

 shouting; I dared not answer, lest the movement in 

 doing so might enrage the adder. I had the fear that 

 the people might not come down to look for me if they 

 heard nothing, and might go on, leaving me to die where I 

 was. I listened, and could hear people talking, but could 

 not make out the words or to whom the voices belonged, but 

 had no doubt that they were some people come in search 

 of me. I at length was certain that, whoever it was, they 

 were now spooring me up, and at last heard their steps 

 come nearer, as they pushed the branches on one side. 



