For almost two hours we continued our journey, sometimes passing through
deep valleys, which, in winter months, were green with verdure, but now
were dry and parched for the want of moisture; and sometimes ascending
high hills, from the summits of which we could command a view of the
country for many miles in extent.

Not a soul had we met since leaving the borders of the town, and with
the exception of one or two animals, game appeared to be very scarce.

"How much farther have we to go for a sight of the 'Snakes' Paradise'?"
Fred inquired.

"Only about a mile. At the foot of the hill the den is located, unless
the reptiles have changed their quarters since I was here last."

The inspector pointed with his whip to the spot indicated, and for a few
minutes we drew rein and admired the scenery.

At our feet was a deep valley, which, in the winter season, received the
washings of the mountains that completely surrounded it, and the soil
evidently retained the water for some time, for we could see where it
had settled or evaporated, and we asked ourselves the question,--

"Did the snakes take up their quarters in the valley for the purpose of
being near fresh water for about nine months in the year?"

Mr. Brown only shook his head, and said that he was not versed in
"snakeology," but thought that if the reptiles remained in the valley,
it was a sign that they liked to take a drink occasionally, and proposed
that we should descend.

We assented, but before we did so, we took another survey of the scene
before us. As I said before, the valley was surrounded by hills, and
the only outlet was by means of a ragged ravine, through which the water
had forced its way, and extended to another plain about half a mile
distant The hills opposite to us were nearly perpendicular, and their
summit could only be gained by immense exertion on the part of a person
on foot. The only places where horses could escape, or leave the valley,
was by means of the ravine, or the path we were about to descend.

I have been thus particular in describing the locality of Snakes'
Paradise, as we named it, because we met with an incident there, which I
shall relate in another chapter.

We were obliged to dismount from our animals, when half-way down the
mountain, for we found that the trail was very insecure, and that a
proper regard for our necks demanded a descent on foot. The horses,
freed from our encumbrance, got along very well, and much