278 



THE ADVENTURES OF 



and birds adorned with a variety of coloring, which the 

 Mexicans call "primroses," while a number of mocking- 

 birds were warbling airs worthy of the nightingale. The 

 sun, lost amidst the golden clouds, bached the trees and 

 bushes with a soft light. Gradually an became silent and 

 nothing was heard but the murmur of the stream, while 

 birds of prey soared over our heads on their way to the 

 mountains. The eastern sky was now wrapped in shade 

 and the stars twinkled in the dark heavens, while on every 

 bush animated sparks appeared to flit about. 



I had been asleep more than two hours, when I was sud- 

 denly awakened by Gringalet barking. I jumped up simul- 

 taneously with my companions, who were also alarmed by 

 a rustling among the dry leaves. Silence was soon re- 

 stored, and I fancied, although the dog continued to growl, 

 that it was a false alarm ; so I was about to lie down again, 

 when Sumichrast' s hand touched me on the shoulder. An 

 enormous serpent was gliding over the ground beside us. 



I at once recognized the black sugar-cane snake, which is 

 only formidable on account of its size; the planters are in 

 the habit of attracting it to their fields, to keep them clear 

 of mischievous rodents. L'Encuerado noiselessly left the 

 hut. The snake raised its head, and slowly contracting its 

 rings, and throwing round a bright glance, turned towards 

 us. Sumichrast was just taking aim, when we heard the 

 report of a gun, and our hut was almost in a moment after- 

 wards crushed in by the repeated and furious struggles* 

 of the wounded reptile. 



There was one moment of utter confusion ; I disengaged 

 myself as soon as I could, at the same time protecting the 

 stupefied Lucien, and drawing him away. When I turned 

 round, Sumichrast was approaching l'Encuerado, who, cut- 

 lass in hand, was hacking at the serpent, to render it further 

 incapable of mischief. 



