ed off without trouble, and without attracting
attention. I shall think of the matter again."

"Don't speak lightly of such serious matters," cried Mr. Brown, with
more solemnity than I ever gave him credit for. "There are many things
in this world that we cannot account for, and yet it is out of place to
jest about them."

In fact, we were not in a favorable place to talk about ghosts and
goblins, for the trees under which we were lying screened the light of
the stars, and prevented us from seeing each other. Add to this the
night wind wailing through the branches of the gum trees, and the
profound silence that reigned around, interrupted only by the movements
of the horses, or by the quiet gliding of a snake, which had been to the
brook to quench its thirst, and barely ruffled a dead leaf in its course
in search of companions. Taking all these things into consideration,
I'll confess that I have passed many nights much more pleasant and
satisfactory.

"Far be it from me to joke on matters of such grave import," I said. "I
have no desire to incur the ill will of any respectable ghost, and, to
tell you the truth, I don't think that one with any pretensions to piety
would want to intrude his unwelcome presence upon us. There are people
enough in the world who rather court such things, but I, for one, do
not."

I started up, as I finished speaking, and clapped my hands upon the leg
of my trousers, for I felt something squirming next to the skin that did
not make me rest as though upon a bed of roses.

"What is the matter?" demanded Mr. Brown; "you don't see any thing, do
you?"

"No," I replied, with all the composure possible, "I don't see any thing
as yet--I wish that I could. But it strikes me that a snake has run up
my trousers leg, and if I am not mistaken, he is wiggling to get out the
wrong way."

"Crush him, and then we will hereafter further discuss the subject of
ghosts," returned Mr. Brown, with admirable coolness.

"Ghosts be hanged!" I cried, and I have a faint recollection of adding
an oath. "They don't trouble me half as much as the feelings of this
varmint, whom I have secured by his head or tail, I don't know which."

"Shake yourself, and let him slide," my friend advised; but I preferred
to hold on and trust to chance, and find out whether the reptile was of
the poisonous species, or the common green kind.

"Excuse me, but if you will light a match and a few leaves, and then
insert your hand u