CHAP. XXIV.] UNPLEASANT BEDFELLOTF. 71 



other fruits were brought on board. We then went on a 

 little way, and in the evening anchored again. When 

 going to bed for the night, I put out my candle, there 

 being still a glimmering lamp burning, and, missing my 

 handkerchief, thought I saw it on a box which formed one 

 side of my bed, and put out my hand to take it. I quickly 

 drew back on feeling something cool and very smooth, 

 which moved as I touched it. " Bring the light, quick," 1 

 cried ; "here's a snake." And there he was, sure enough, 

 nicely coiled up, with his head just raised to inquire wlio 

 had disturbed him. It was now necessary to catch or kill 

 him neatly, or he would escape among the piles of miscel- 

 laneous luggage, and we should hardly sleep comfortably. 

 One of the ex-convicts volunteered to catch him with his 

 hand wrapped up in a cloth, but from the way he went 

 about it I saw he was nervous and would let the thing go, 

 so I would not allow him to make the attempt. I then got 

 a chopping-knife, and carefully moving my insect nets, 

 which hung just over the snake and prevented me getting 

 a free blow, I cut him quietly across the back, holding 

 him down while my boy with another knife crushed his 

 head. On examination, I found he had large poison 

 fangs, and it is a wonder he did not bite me .when I 

 first touched him. 



Thinking it very unlikely that two snakes had got on 

 board at the same time, I turned in and went to sleep ; 



