Child, what I felt at that moment I can scarcely say, but it was a sufficient punishment for all the sins I ever committed; and there we two were, I looking up at the viper, and the viper looking down upon me, flickering at me with its tongue.

It was only the kindness of God that saved me: all at once there was a loud noise, the report of a gun, for a fowler was shooting at a covey of birds, a little way off in the stubble.

Whereupon the viper sunk its head, and immediately made off over the ridge of the hill, down in the direction of the sea.

As it passed by me, however--and it passed close by me--it hesitated a moment, as if it was doubtful whether it should not seize me; it did not, however, but made off down the hill.

It has often struck me that he was angry with me, and came upon me unawares for presuming to meddle with his people, as I have always been in the habit of doing.' 'But,' said I, 'how do you know that it was the king of the vipers ?' 'How do I know!' said the old man, 'who else should it be?
There was as much difference between it and other reptiles as between King George and other people.' 'Is King George, then, different from other people ?' I demanded.
'Of course,' said the old man; 'I have never seen him myself, but I have heard people say that he is a ten times greater man than other folks; indeed, it stands to reason that he must be different from the rest, else people would not be so eager to see him.