No epicure in England could pick a head with more glee and dexterity than they do that of a light-horseman.
Reptiles in the swamps and covers are numerous.

Of snakes there are two or three sorts: but whether the bite of any of them be mortal, or even venomous, is somewhat doubtful.

I know but of one well attested instance of a bite being received from a snake.

A soldier was bitten so as to draw blood, and the wound healed as a simple incision usually does without shewing any symptom of malignity.

A dog was reported to be bitten by a snake, and the animal swelled and died in great agony.