No reply was made to the query and after delaying a brief time Walter walked slowly back to the place where the fire was burning. He repeatedly assured himself that he was not “nervous,” but several times he was startled and stopped abruptly until he was able to decide whether a long dead branch in his pathway was really what it appeared to be. However, without any serious mishap he arrived at the place he was seeking and instantly discovered that Dan’s warning was most timely, for the fire had burned low and the frying-pan had tipped so that one of the perch had fallen into the ashes. Quickly righting the pan, he at once placed fresh wood upon the fire and soon had everything restored to its proper place. As he turned to look toward the marsh he saw his friend approaching, and it was manifest that he had not secured the snake. “What’s the trouble, Dan? Where’s the snake?” inquired Walter. “Got away,” answered his friend. “Did you see it?” “Yes.” “How big is it?” “Long as a fence rail.” “I told you it was. Did you ever see as big a one before?” “No.” “Did it turn on you?” “I thought it was going to, but it probably thought better of it, for it made for the deep water and I lost sight of it.” “What kind of a snake was it?” “Just a plain water-snake, that’s all.” “I shouldn’t want it to bite me. I don’t like snakes anyway. The sight of one makes my flesh creep.” “That’s all foolishness. A snake is a mighty pretty thing. I’ve taken little striped snakes up in my hands a good many times and examined them. Their marking is great, Walter!” “I’m willing to take your word for it!” “You don’t have to, for you can see for yourself. This big fellow might put up a good fight if he was cornered, but I don’t believe he would touch anyone if he was left alone.” “He scared old Prince all right.” “Well, he was something of a snake, but he wouldn’t touch a live animal unless it was a frog or a squirrel.” “Eats dead fish, doesn’t he?” “Yes; you don’t eat live ones, do you?” “Not if I can help it. There, I’m glad he’s gone. Think there are any more like him around here?” “Some snakes go in pairs.” “Do they?” inquired Walter, glancing anxiously about him as he spoke, an action that brought a trace of a smile to Dan’s face. “I’m not afraid,” said Walter hastily, as he noticed the expression on his friend’s face. “I just don’t like their company, that’s all. Are there many around here?” “I guess if you should walk up the beach to those flat rocks yonder you’d find plenty of them.” “Any here?” “I guess not. Most too cool here. Snakes like warm spots.” “Maybe the fire will draw them, then.” “You needn’t be afraid.” “I’m not ‘afraid,’ I tell you. I just don’t like the crawling things!” “Well, never mind. We’ll set the table now. I guess everything is ready.”