e horsemen that the surprised
serpents seemed to be ignorant of the nature of the foe, and instead
of flying to the long grass to avoid a recurrence of bloodshed, they
continued to glide round the pool, while their number increased every
moment.

"What'd you hit me on the head for?" asked Sneak, after regarding the
snakes a moment, and then turning to Joe, the pony having still kept
at the heels of the steed in spite of his rider's efforts to the
contrary.

"Oh, Sneak," cried Joe, in tones somewhat tremulous, "do, for
goodness' sake, let us go away from here!"

"I sha'n't do any such thing--what'd you hit me on the head for?"

"I thought I was a killing a snake," replied Joe.

"Do I look like a snake?" continued Sneak, turning round, when for the
first time he discovered the condition of his companion's bridle.

"Sneak, let's ride away!" said Joe.

"And leave all them black sarpents yander poking out their tongues at
us? I won't go till I wear out this pole on 'em. Ha! ha! ha! I thought
you hadn't spunk enough to gallup through 'em on your own accord,"
said Sneak, looking at the pony, and knowing that he would follow the
steed always, if left to his own inclination.

"Come, Sneak, let's go home!" continued Joe, in a supplicating tone.

"Come! let's charge on the snakes agin!" said Sneak, raising the rod,
and fixing his feet in the stirrups.

"Hang me if I go there again!" said Joe, throwing down his rod.

"You're a tarnation coward, that's what you are! But you can't help
yourself," replied Sneak.

"I'll jump off and run!" said Joe, preparing to leap to the ground.

"You jest do now, and you'll have forty sarpents wrapped round you in
less than no time."

At that moment two or three racers swept between them with their heads
elevated as high as Joe's knees, and entered the area.

"Oh goodness!" cried Joe, drawing up his legs.

"Git down and git your pole," said Sneak.

"I wouldn't do it if it was made of gold!"

"If you say you'll fight the snakes, I'll git it for you--I'm a going
to stay here till they're all killed," continued Sneak.

"Give it to me, then--I'll smash their brains out the next time!" said
Joe, with desperate determination.

"But you musn't hit me agin!" said Sneak, dismounting and handing up
the weapon to Joe, and then leaping on the steed again.

"Sneak, you're no better than a snake, to bring me into such a scrape
as this!" said Joe, leaning forward and scanning the black ma