“He smelled a serpent in front of us, and I stamped him to death.”

“Was it venomous?” the American was prompted to ask.

“I think it was a coral snake, but he was not large.”

“If he had bitten you?”

“Pardon me, Major, he did not.”

“There may be others near us.”

“Perhaps; their bite is sure death; we must be ready to crush them under our feet—hist! here come General Yozarro and the officers.”