r
cold in the room, had you not better order some wood placed on the
fire." "Excuse me, my dear, I was so much interested in the
conversation of our distinguished guest that I paid but little
attention to the fire. I will order the wood immediately." The wood
was brought in, and soon the room was made very comfortable. Mrs. R.
said: "Col. Godfrey, at the table just now you said that your journey
after you left us, was in many instances, not very pleasant. You have
rather raised my curiosity. I would like to have you give an account
of your mishaps as you journeyed along. It will be very interesting,
no doubt." "It is a great pleasure to me to impart to others anything
that I may know that would prove of interest to them, and I do most
willingly grant the request made by you."

CHAPTER XIII.

THE ADVENTURES OF SMITH, JONES AND BROWN--JONES, HEARING THAT A SNAKE
IS IN THE BOAT, JUMPS INTO THE CANAL.

In getting up a party to visit Lake Drummond, you will always find
more or less of the party who are afraid of snakes. On this occasion
the party consisted of only three--Smith, Jones and Brown--all
citizens of Suffolk. They prepared themselves with the necessary
outfit and started for the canal. Their boat being ready they embarked
and soon were on the way. Smith being the most expert took the wheel,
Brown placed himself at the bow, so that he could ward off approaching
danger, and Jones, who was the timid one of the party, was put
amidship the boat, with his back to Brown. I knew the parties well;
they are all living, and I will narrate the snake story as I was told
by Brown, who will vouch for its authenticity. They had not passed the
great terror to all who go to the Lake (Paradise Old Fields), where
can be seen everything that is hideous; a place that is dreaded, and
if it could, would be shunned by every one who visits the Lake. Things
of most unquestionable shapes have been seen by persons when passing
it. No one has ever given any account of the history of the Field,
which you are compelled to pass going to Lake Drummond, and which has
deterred many from venturing to it. Owing to the many snake stories
that has been told by persons who said they were born to see spirits,
there can be no doubt that there is a legend connected with that
Field. Some have argued that the Field was at one time filled with
grottos, and that the fairies of Lake Drummond would leave their realm
and by a subterranean passage into i