ention. The
former, to my surprise, did not appear to observe the danger that he was
in, and I could only account for it when I saw that his eyes were
watching my movements, as though fearful that a well-directed shot was
to punish him for his intrusion.

The fellow was well armed, I could perceive, for a pair of pistols was
stuck in his belt, and a long, glittering knife reposed near them. Once
I saw him make a movement with one of his hands towards his belt, as
though anxious to try the chances of a shot in my direction, but he
apparently altered his mind, and arose to his feet.

I hastily glanced towards the snake; the movement of its long tail
ceased, and the reptile coiled itself up as though to escape
observation, but the fire of its eyes burned as brightly as ever, and
the long fangs were exhibited, as though determined to bite something
before long.

Still the stranger did not appear to observe the dangerous position that
he was in, for he seemed too much occupied with scrutinizing Fred and
myself to attend to objects in his immediate vicinity. Our silence must
have struck him with wonder, for after a while he spoke.

"Darn it!" he exclaimed, pettishly, "why don't some of you hail a
feller? or are you all struck with a Spanish mildew?"

We returned no answer.

The snake appeared to be as much interested as ourselves, and hardly a
motion of his black, glistening skin could I observe; but his eyes
seemed to emit sparks of fire, so brilliantly did they blaze.

"You can't hail a convoy, hey?" demanded the stranger, in a contemptuous
tone; "has my appearance put a stopper on your tongues, or what is the
matter?"

We still remained silent, awaiting the finale of so singular a meeting.
"You can talk glib enough when you get with old Brown, and other police
fellows, after having shot down the best man in the mines--you know who
I mean--and I tell you that he is a better man than either of you two
lubbers, squatting there, with faces whiter than a ship's main royal!
You know the feller I mean--Pete Burley; he never trembled when a feller
hailed him."

We let the ruffian--for his last words convinced me: that he had visited
us for no good--go on.

The snake had, inch by inch, moved its location, and was partly
concealed from the sight of Burley's friend by a barrel. The light,
also, was not shed over that portion of the floor, and while every
movement of the monster was distinctly revealed to me, the ruffian