210 ADVKNTtTRES OF THREE YOUNG NATURALISTS. 



Meanwhile Paul was undergoing considerable mental excitement. After 

 the accidental, or rather involuntarily discharge of his rifle, he had remained 

 in the same attitude he had assumed when he fired, seemingly in a semi- 

 stupified condition, the natural results of reaction after intense excitement, ac- 

 companied by bitter disappointment. As Harry disappeared after the deer, 

 Paul recovered somewhat, rose to his feet, drew a long breath and exclaimed 

 to himself: 



,, I wish I could do that thing over again." 



Being, however, in a thoroughly healthy state of mind, and having 

 been accustomed all his life to make the best of everything, his natural boy- 

 ancy of spirit began to assert itself. 



"Well," he murmured, as he slipped a fresh cartridge into his rifle, 

 " I shall have another chance at the deer soon I am certain, when I shall 

 try and not let my nervousness run away with my good sense. What's the 

 matter with Harry ? " he added, for at this moment he heard him calling 

 from the depths of the swamp. 



" I'll go and see." So off he ran wading into the swamp, easily follow- 

 ing Harry's course by the muddy' water. Proceeding into the swamp for 

 some distance in this way, he at length perceived Harry. He was standing 

 on the edge of a cypress log looking considerably frightened, and as Paul 

 approached, he pointed to the other end of the log, on which lay a huge 

 water moccasin. The reptile had drawn himself into two or three bights and 

 his head was thrown back on one of these bends, while his mouth, the in- 

 side of which was white, was wide open, disclosing the long, curved fangs. 



" Shoot that snake quick," said Harry, his teeth fairly chattering with 

 terror. 



Paul took a quick aim with his rifle, pulled the trigger, and the rep- 

 tile's head head fell from its body. 



"There's another," said Harry, pointing toward a second snake that oc- 

 cupied another log a short distance away, " the whole swamp is full of them 

 and I have left my shells out in the woods so can't load my gun." 



"I don't think that one will do any harm," said Paul, "so what is the 

 use of killing it." 



"Yes," said Harry, "shoot it, for it might take a notion to swim over 

 tov a d us." 



" He won't leave that log in a hurry," remarked Paul. " But where 

 are the deer? " 



I don't know," answered his companion. "I think they ran right 

 on i ough the cypress. But let us get out of this place. Come on this is 

 the ay," starting to lead the way deeper into the swamp. 



