re fond of dragging
their forms over it, as it is soft, and keeps them warm during the
night. I have known teams to be stopped, and obliged to seek a route on
the prairie, simply because a large number of snakes were not disposed
to yield the right of way.

"The first load that I ever carried to the mines, and when I was anxious
to make as much money as possible in a very short space of time, I was
stopped in this same way. I was jogging along one night, all alone, and
urging my oxen to their utmost speed, when all at once the leaders shied
out from the road, and then stopped. I cracked my whip, and roared at
them frantically, but it was of no use.

"Forward they would not budge, and at last they fairly turned, and were
making very good time towards Melbourne; but I soon stopped that game,
and once more got them headed the way I wanted them to go. When they
arrived at the spot at which they had balked a few minutes before, they
went through with the same antics, and then I thought it best to see
what was the matter. Walking forward, I was saluted with a hissing
sound, that greatly resembled the noise which an enraged gander emits
when a stranger trespasses upon his brood.

"I paused for a moment, and tried to discover, through the darkness,
what occasioned the noise, but could not, although I thought I saw
something moving not far from me. I retreated, quieted my cattle, took
my lantern and gun, and walked back to the spot. By the light of the
candle I saw about half a bushel of snakes, coiled up in a heap, and all
alive with rage at being disturbed. I hardly knew what to do. There they
were, and gave no indications of leaving the road; and I no longer
wondered at the reluctance of the oxen in refusing to pass over them.
Had they done so, it is very probable I should have lost every one of
the animals, for they could not have escaped being bitten; and then they
would have died in a few hours, and I should have suffered a great
pecuniary loss.

"I had a quantity of fine shot in my wagon-box, which I used for small
birds. I drew the charge I had in the gun, and instead of a bullet, put
in about a handful of the shot, and then setting my lantern as near the
mass of snakes as I dared venture, I retreated a few paces, and taking
deliberate aim, fired at them.

"The charge made dreadful havoc, and dozens of them were killed and cast
out of the heap by those unharmed; but instead of causing them to escape
to the prairie,