use."

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

THE MOCCASON SNAKE AND THE ORIOLES.

"We now climbed back into the live-oak, and recommenced flinging down
our moss. We were chatting gaily about the curious scene we had just
witnessed. Frank was remarking how lucky he had been in thus finding
the nest of the orioles--as he wanted young birds of that species, and
he could return for them whenever they were hatched. All of a sudden,
these birds--that since the defeat of the 'possum had remained perfectly
quiet--again commenced screaming and chattering as before.

"`Another 'possum!' said Frank; `maybe it's the old father coming to
look after his family.'

"We both stopped, and looked down. We soon discovered what was causing
this new commotion. Slowly gliding over the grass, and glittering as it
went, was a long monster-looking object. It was a huge serpent--a snake
of the most venomous kind--the dreaded `moccason.' It was one of the
largest of its species; and its great flat head, protruding sockets, and
sparkling eyes, added to the hideousness of its appearance. Every now
and then, as it advanced, it threw out its forked tongue, which, moist
with poisonous saliva, flashed under the sunbeam like jets of fire. It
was crawling directly for the tree on which hung the nest. Frank and I
stood still where we were--determined to watch its movements, as we had
done those of the opossum. On reaching the root of the pawpaw, it
stopped for a moment, as if to consider.

"`Do you think it is going to climb up to the nest?' inquired my
companion.

"`No,' I replied, `the moccason is not a tree-climber. If it were, the
poor birds as well as the squirrels would have little chance; but it
cannot climb. Look at it! it is only making pretence--to frighten the
orioles still more, if possible.'

"As I said this, the snake had drawn its body closer to the tree, and
raised its flat head up against the trunk, throwing out its tongue as if
it was licking the bark.

"The orioles, evidently believing that it was about to climb up, had now
descended to the lowest branches, fluttering from one to the other, and
screaming all the while either with rage, or terror, or both combined.

"The snake, seeing them approach almost within range of his hideous maw,
gathered himself into a coil, and prepared to strike. His eyes
scintillated like sparks of fire, and seemed to fascinate the birds;
for, instead of retiring, they each moment drew nearer and