He came in while a sudden storm descended, and a rainbow of exquisite majesty vaulted the earth.

Sitting down at a table, he beckoned the hostess for his beer, and conversed freely with his acquaintance.

By his arch replies I found that I was in company with an original--a man that might stretch forth his arms in the wilderness without fear, and like Paul, grasp an adder without harm.
He playfully entwined his fingers with their coils and curled crests, and played with their forked tongues.

He had unbuttoned his waistcoat, and as cleverly as a fish-woman handles her eels, let out several snakes and adders, warmed by his breast, and spread them on the table.
He took off his hat, and others of different sizes and lengths twisted before me; some of them, when he unbosomed his shirt, returned to the genial temperature of his skin; and some curled around the legs of the table, and others rose in a defensive attitude.

He irritated and humored them, to express either pleasure or pain at his will.