SNAKE-HUNTING. 51 



At one time we bad so many snakes that they 

 were kept in the crevices of an old wall, and left to 

 stay or go as they pleased. My boys — I had a school 

 at that time — took wonderfully to snake hunting, 

 and every half-holiday produced a fresh supply of 

 snakes. The boys used to devise the strangest 

 amusements in connection with their snakes, of 

 which they were very proud, each boy exhibiting 

 his particular favourite, and expatiating on its excel- 

 lences. 



One of their fashions, and one which lasted for 

 some time, was to make tunnels in the side of the 

 "Wiltshire Downs, and to turn in their snakes at one 

 end, merely for the purpose of seeing them come out 

 at the other. 



Then there was a stone-quarry some three miles 

 distant, which was in some parts of the year nearly 

 filled with water. Thither the boys were accustomed 

 to repair for the purpose of indulging their snakes 

 with a bath. They certainly seemed to enjoy the 

 swim, and were the better for it. 



Sometimes there was great excitement ; for a 

 snake would now and then act in too independent a 

 manner, and instead of swimming straight across* so 

 as to be caught by a boy on the opposite side, would 

 sink to the bottom, and there lie flat and immo- 

 vable. Long sticks could not be found there ; and 

 their only mode of making the snake stir was to 

 startle it by throwing stones. Even then there was 



