I seized the only thing handy, a big stick, and ran out. A large
serpent had been attracted by a bowl of milk put on the terrace for my
large white Persian cat, who was valiantly defending her milk against
the snake. It raised up its long neck and hissed at me; but I hit it
with my stick a foot away from its tail, which is the proper place to
paralyze a snake. It tried to make away, but was unable, and then I
killed it. It was two yards and a half long, and as thick as a child's
arm. It had a flat head, and was of a bluish silver colour. Another
night, when I went up to the housetop, a large wolf sprang over my head.
I ran in for my gun, but though I was not gone an instant the wolf was
out of my reach. After a few weeks Richard came up and joined me at
Bludan with Charles Tyrwhitt-Drake.
During this summer we made many excursions to pleasant spots around
Bludan, and we used to invite the Shaykhs and principal people to meet
us. We would choose a spot near water, or near Bedawin tents, or a
melon plantation; and arriving at the appointed place, we would eat and
drink, make a fire, roast and prepare our coffee, and have a siesta.
These impromptu picnics were very pleasant, and we always found the
Bedawin charming. Those days were very pleasant ones; our lives were
peaceful, useful, and happy. But suddenly there came a bolt from the
blue. On August 16, 1871, the blow fell.
That morning at Bludan the horses were saddled at the door, and we were
going for a ride, when a ragged messenger on foot stopped to drink at the
spring, and then came up to me with a note.
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