n--and when a storm came, though the thunder and
lightning were terrible and the rain tremendous, everything afterwards
seemed to bound into renewed life, and the scent of the virgin forest
was delightful. All worked hard, but there was the certain repayment,
and in what must have been a very short time, the settlers had raised a
delightful home in the wilderness, where all was so dreamy and peaceful
that their weapons and military stores seemed an encumbrance, and many
felt that they would have done more wisely if they had brought
agricultural implements instead.

Before we left England, as I have told you, the adventurers who met at
my father's rooms talked of the ruthless savage--the lurking Indian of
the forest and prairie, and also of our neighbours the Spaniards; but as
soon as we reached the place, it seemed to all that the Indians did not
exist; and as to the Spaniards, they were far south, separated by long
stretches of open land, forests, river, and swamp, and might, for aught
we knew, be at the other side of the world.

I was sitting indoors one bright sunny day, and I had just reached
finishing distance with a Latin translation my father had left me to do,
when I heard a quick "Hist!" Looking up, I saw Morgan at the window.

"'Most done?" he said.

"Yes."

"Then come along, I'll show you something."

I bounded out, to find him armed with a stick about six feet long,
provided with a little fork at the end made by driving in a couple of
nails and bending them out.

"What is it?" I cried, excitedly.

"Enemy. Get yourself a good stout stick."

"Rake-handle do?"

"Yes, capital."

I ran to the tool-shed and came back directly, panting.

"Now," I said, "what enemy is it--an alligator?"

"No. You said you didn't believe there were any snakes here. I've got
one to show you now."

"Yes; but where?"

"Never you mind where. All you've got to do is to creep after me silent
like; and when you see me pin him down with this fork, you can kill
him."

"But what a cowardly way," I cried; "it isn't fair."

"Well, look you, I never did see such a boy as you are, Master George.
Do you know what sort of a snake it is?"

"How should I? You wouldn't tell me."

"Well, you talk as if it was a little adder, foot and half long, or a
snake at home that you might pick up in your hand. Why, it's a real
rattlesnake."

"Oh!" I exclaimed, excitedly.

"Over six foot long, and as thick as my wrist."

"Po