the colonel having turned his eyes in that direction, or being aware
that he was not alone. But something at length attracted the attention
of Newton, and induced him to come forward, and put an end to the
colonel's repast. The colonel had just taken another mango out of the
basket, when Newton perceived a small snake wind itself over the rim,
and curl up one of the feet of the colonel's chair, in such a position
that the very next time that the colonel reached out his hand, he must
have come in contact with the reptile. Newton hardly knew how to act;
the slightest movement of the old gentleman might be fatal to him; he
therefore walked up softly, and was about to strike the animal on the
head with his stick, when the colonel, as he leant over the tub, half
rose from the chair. In an instant, Newton snatched it from under him,
and jerked it, with the snake, to the corner of the hall. The colonel,
whose centre of gravity had not been sufficiently forward to enable him
to keep his feet, fell backward, when Newton and he both rolled on the
floor together; and also both recovered their legs at the same time.

"You'll excuse me, sir," said Newton.

"I'll be damned if I do, sir!" interrupted the colonel, in a rage; "who
the devil are you?--and how dare you presume to play off such
impertinent jokes upon a stranger?--Where did you come from, sir?--How
did you get in, sir?"

"Is that a joke, sir?" replied Newton, calmly pointing to the snake,
which was still hissing in its wrath at the corner of the room where the
chair lay. Newton then briefly explained the circumstances.

"Sir, I beg your pardon a thousand times, and am very much your debtor.
It is the most venomous snake that we have in the country. I trust you
will accept my apology for a moment's irritation; and, at the same time,
my sincere thanks." The colonel then summoned the servants, who
provided themselves with bamboos, and soon despatched the object which
had occasioned the misunderstanding. The colonel then apologised to
Newton, while he repaired to the bath, and in a few minutes returned,
having undergone the necessary ablution after a mango feast. His dress
was changed, and he offered the appearance of an upright gentlemanlike,
hard-featured man, who had apparently gone through a great deal of
service without his stamina having been much impaired.

"I beg your pardon, my dear sir, for detaining you. May I request the
pleasure of your name, and t