e snake by the tail. The long head-less body gave way
gradually, and becoming quite relaxed fell powerless and dead to the
earth.

"Oh, Sneak, let's go!" said Joe, trembling, his face having turned as
pale as death while Pete was dashing about in choking agony under the
tight folds of the serpent.

"Smash me if I go as long as there's a snake left!" replied Sneak,
striking down another huge racer; but this one, having its back
broken, remained stationary.

Thus he continued to strike down the snakes as long as any remained on
the field; and, as they became scarce, Joe grew quite valorous, and
did signal service. At length the combat ceased, and not a living
serpent could be seen running.

"Sneak, we've killed them all--huzza!" cried Joe, flourishing his rod.

"Yes, but you didn't do much--you're as big a coward as ever."

"Oh, I wasn't _afraid_ of them, Sneak," said Joe; "I was only a little
cautious, because it was the first time I ever went a snaking."

"Yes, you was mighty cautious! if your bridle hadn't broke, you'd have
been home long ago."

"Pshaw, Sneak!" said Joe; "you're much mistaken. But how many do you
think we've killed?"

"I suppose about a quarter of a cord--but I've heard tell of men's
killing a cord a day, easy."

"You don't say so! But how does it happen so many are found together?
When I go out I can never find more than a dozen or so."

"There's a _snake den_ under that clear place," said Sneak, "where
they stay all winter--but its not as big a den as some I've seen."

"I don't want to see more than I have to-day!" said Joe, whipping past
the steed as they started homewards, having mended his bridle. But as
he paced along by the decayed tree mentioned above, he saw the
glistening eyes of the large racer peering from the hole it had
entered, and he gave it a smart blow on the head with his rod and
spurred forward. The next moment, when Sneak came up, the enraged
serpent sprang down upon him, and in a twinkling wound himself tightly
round his neck! Sneak's eyes started out of his head, and being nearly
strangled he soon fell to the earth. Joe looked on in amazement, but
was too much frightened to assist him. And Sneak, unable to ask his
aid, only turned his large eyes imploringly towards him, while in
silence he vainly strove to tear away the serpent with his fingers. He
thrust one hand in his pocket for his knife, but it had been left
behind! He then held out his hand to Joe, and in thi