d as vigorously
as ever. I lay quite still for two or three minutes, and then, as
everything seemed perfectly safe, and I had not too much time to spare,
I decided that I might venture upon a somewhat more rapid mode of
progression. I accordingly raised myself upon my hands and knees, and
proceeded to crawl very cautiously toward the canoe, looking back from
time to time to see if I were observed.

It was while I was thus engaged in looking back, while still creeping
forward, that, as I put forth my right hand, it fell upon something cold
and clammy that stirred beneath my touch, and the next instant I felt a
sharp pricking sensation in the fleshy base of my right thumb. Like
lightning I snatched my hand away, threw myself backward and sprang to
my feet with an involuntary cry; and as I did so I indistinctly caught
sight of a small wriggling object in the long grass that seemed to
vanish in a flash. It was a snake, and it had bitten me! Yes, there
was no mistake about that, for as I lifted my hand to my eyes there was
light enough for me to see two drops of blood, about a quarter of an
inch apart upon my right hand. Upon the spur of the moment I clapped
the wounded part to my mouth and sucked vigorously, spitting out such
blood as I was able to draw from the wound, and this I continued to do
industriously for the next hour or more. But my chance of escape was
gone for that night at least; for my cry brought the whole of the
savages to their feet as one man, with their weapons grasped and ready
for instant use. Some half-a-dozen of them, seeing me upon my feet,
sprang toward me and surrounded me with angry cries, but I did not of
course make the slightest attempt to run; on the contrary, I showed them
my wounded hand, and, with two fingers of my left hand extended, made a
motion as of a snake striking his fangs into my flesh. The individual
whom I took to be the chief of the little party thereupon led me back to
the fire, and thrusting two or three dry twigs into the smouldering
ashes, fanned the latter into a blaze with his breath, thus causing the
twigs to ignite. Then, using these twigs as a torch, he carefully
examined my wounded hand, shook his head as though to indicate that I
had no chance, cast the blazing twigs to the ground, and saying a few
words to his companions, lay down and again composed himself to sleep,
an example at once followed by his companions. I, however, remained
awake, diligently suck