I owe my life on this occasion solely to the fact that the snakes were in a torpid state, and came at me one at a time instead of altogether.

It was the cold season, about the month of June or July.

It is impossible at such moments to take any account of time, so I cannot say how long the battle lasted.

At length, however, I was able to count the slain.

I did this partly out of curiosity and partly because I wanted to impress the natives--to boast, if you prefer that phrase.