The colonel, whose centre of gravity had not been thrown sufficiently forward to enable him to keep his feet, fell backward, when Newton and he both rolled on the floor together; and also both recovered their legs at the same time.
"You'll excuse me, sir," said Newton.
"I'll be d----d if I do, sir!" interrupted the colonel, in a rage.

"Who the devil are you ?--and how dare you presume to play off such impertinent jokes upon a stranger ?--Where did you come from ?--How did you get in, sir ?" "Is that a joke, sir ?" replied Newton, calmly pointing to the snake, which was still hissing in its wrath at the corner of the room where the chair lay.

Newton then briefly explained the circumstances.
"Sir, I beg your pardon a thousand times, and am very much your debtor.

It is the most venomous snake that we have in the country.

I trust you will accept my apology for a moment's irritation; and, at the same time, my sincere thanks." The colonel then summoned the servants, who provided themselves with bamboos, and soon despatched the object which had occasioned the misunderstanding.