ion of our former march, as I imagined the savages were dispersed
along the country in pursuit of the fugitives. I therefore took a
direction as nearly as I could judge parallel to the English
settlements, and inclining to the south. In this manner I forced my way
along the woods all night, and with the morning had reason to think that
I had advanced a considerable distance.

"My wounds began now to pain me afresh with this exertion, and compelled
me to allow myself some repose. I chose out the thickest covert I could
find, and, shrouding myself as well as I was able, was soon overpowered
by sleep. I did not awake till the sun had gained the meridian, and,
creeping from my retreat, beheld, with some degree of terror, an
enormous rattlesnake that was coiled up full in my way, and seemed
determined to oppose my passage. This animal is frequent in the southern
colonies, and is the most poisonous of all the reptiles that haunt the
woods. He is in length from two to six feet, beautifully variegated with
different colours, but the most remarkable circumstance attending him is
a natural noise that he produces with every motion of his tail, and
which, too, occasions his name. I soon destroyed my hissing foe, and,
taking courage for the first time to kindle a fire, I roasted him upon
the embers, and made the most delicious meal I ever remember upon his
flesh."

"What!" exclaimed Tommy, "is it possible to eat snakes? I thought they
had been all over poison." "Master," replied the Highlander, "the want
of food will reconcile us to many meats which we should scarcely think
eatable. Nothing has surprised me more than to see the poor, in various
countries, complaining of the scarcity of food, yet throwing away every
year thousands of the carcases of horses, which are full as wholesome
and nourishing as beef, and are in many countries preferred to it; but,
in general, every animal may be eaten, and affords a salutary food. As
to snakes, the poison of them is contained in the hollow of their teeth.
When they bite, they instil their venom into the wound, which mixes with
the blood, and, without a timely remedy, destroys the sufferer; but if
you cut off the head, the rest of the body is not only wholesome but
palatable, and I have known it eaten as a delicacy by many inhabitants
of the colonies.

"Thus refreshed, therefore, I pursued my march through the same thick,
gloomy country, without meeting the least appearance of a human
creat