he time.

"But there is a terribly great one, Shanter, and I order you to go and
kill it."

"Baal mumkull snake."

"Yes; you can kill it, sir. Go and kill it directly. Throw that thing
at it, and knock it down."

Shanter shook his head again.

"Here, I'll soon shoot it, aunt," said Norman; but Aunt Georgie held his
arm tightly.

"No, sir, I shall not let you go.--Rifle, Tim, I forbid you to stir.--
Shanter, do as I tell you," she continued, with a stamp of her foot.
"Go and kill that horrible snake directly, or not one bit of damper do
you ever get again from me."

"Big white Mary gib Shanter plenty damper."

"Yes; and will again. You are a big, strong man, and know how to kill
snakes. Go and kill that one directly."

Shanter shook his head.

"Why, you are not afraid, sir?"

"No. Baal 'fraid snake," said Shanter in a puzzled way, as he looked
searchingly from one to the other.

"Then go and do as I say."

"He's afraid of it," said Norman. "I don't like them, aunt, but I'll go
and shoot it."

"Mine baal 'fraid," cried the black, angrily. "Mumkull plenty snake.
Metancoly."

"Then why don't you go and kill that one?" said Norman as his aunt still
restrained him.

"Baal snake bunyip," cried Shanter, angrily, naming the imaginary demon
of the blacks' dread.

"Who said it was a bunyip?" cried Rifle. "It's a big snake that tried
to bite aunt."

Shanter laughed and shook his head again.

"Baal mumkull snake bulla (two) time. Mumkull bunyip plenty. Come
again."

"What muddle are you talking?" cried Norman, angrily; "the brute will
get away. Look here, Shan, are you afraid?"

"Mine baal 'fraid."

"Then go and kill it."

"Baal mumkull over 'gain. Shanter mumkull. Make fire, put him in
kidgen."

"What!" cried Aunt Georgie. "You put the snake in the kitchen?"

The black nodded.

"Mine put snake in kidgen for big white Mary."

"To bite me?"

"Baal--baal--baal bite big white Mary. Big white Mary, Marmi (captain),
plenty bite snake. Good to eat."

"Here, I see," cried Norman, bursting out laughing, the black joining
in. "He brought the snake for you to cook, auntie."

"What!" cried Aunt Georgie, who turned red with anger as the boy shook
himself loose and ran round to the kitchen door, closely followed by
Shanter and the others.

As Norman ran into the kitchen, he stopped short and pointed the gun,
for right in the middle of the floor, writhing about in a way that might
ea