The hoofs of his horse splashed through mud and water.

Now and then a snake drew away its slimy length and Dick shuddered.

He could not help it.
Snakes, even the harmless, always gave him shivers.
The wilderness now had an evil beauty.

The vegetation was almost tropical in its luxuriance, but Dick liked better the tender green of his more northern state.

Great beds of sunflowers nodded in the light breeze.