R XLI.

VISIT TO SNAKES' PARADISE.

We spent the day in idleness, for the adventures of the preceding night
were too harrowing to allow our minds to become settled on any kind of
work. It is true that we had many questions to answer, and that numerous
visitors thronged our store from sunrise until dark; but after repeating
our story to our friend Charley, he took upon himself the important
situation of narrator of the snake's doings, and by that means we were
entirely relieved of a disagreeable duty.

Our California friend--never a great stickler for truth--embellished his
version of the affair in such glowing colors, and set forth the courage
that we had displayed in the fight in such a guise that we really began
to think that our conduct was not so very tame, after all, and that we
were worthy of the congratulations showered upon us by the admiring
miners, who vowed that when our stock of goods was in, we were the men
for their money.

At length, however, the last visitor had taken his departure, with the
exception of Charley. He hung around, as though he had some important
duty yet unperformed, but what it was we were at a loss to know until he
disclosed it.

"We did pretty well, didn't we?" he asked, taking a seat by our rickety
supper table.

"In getting the crowd off? Yes, we feel much obliged to you," Fred
rejoined.

"O, tain't that. I mean 'bout making the fellers believe all I told um."
"Why, I must say that I think you disregarded the truth slightly, in
your account of the adventures."

"O, I know that I did; but don't you see that it was all 'cos I wanted
to make ye popular with the masses, and one of these days you'll get
elevated to pay for it. I knew that you fellers was frightened to death
when you seed the snake, but of course I wasn't going to say so, 'cos if
I had, it would have sp'ilt all. O, no; I know'd better than all that,
by a long chalk. Putty good coffee this, ain't it?"

We were silent with astonishment and admiration at his matchless
impudence.

"Perhaps you will be good enough to let us know how you knew we were
frightened?" Fred asked, coolly.

"Certainly--'cos I met one of the same darned things, and I run like the
devil. Fact, although you may not believe it. I don't fight snakes, if I
can get clear of um."

The man's answer was so characteristic of human nature, that we could
but smile at the honest expression, and were not disposed to quarrel
with him for giving vent