the stick in the other, he carried it outside and laid it on the grass.  Looking carefully at every side of the mattress he discovered the hole through which the snake had entered.  It was so small that he could scarcely believe that a snake had gone through it, but no other hole was anywhere visible.  Philip said, “If the beast comes out it shall be through fire,” so he picked up a few pieces of bark which he placed over the hole, and set on fire.  The straw inside was soon in a blaze, and the snake was lively.  His situation was desperate, and his movements could be traced by the rising and falling of the ticking.  Philip said, “My friend, you are looking for a hole, but when you find it it will be a hot one.”  The snake at last made a dash for life through the fire, and actually came out into the open air.  But he was dazed and blinded, and his skin was wet and shining with oil, or perspiration, or something.

Philip gave him a finishing stroke with his stick, and tossed him back into the fire.  Of course a new mattress was necessary, and a keen eye for snakes ever afterwards.

The teaching in the school went on with regularity and success.  There was, however, an occasional interruption.  Once a furious squall came over the lake, and shook the frail building so much that Philip threw open the door and sent out all the children, the little ones and girls first, and then the boys, remaining himself to the last like the captain of a sinking ship; but he was not so much of a fool to stay inside and brave destruction; he went out to a safe distance until the squall was over.

Sometimes a visitor interfered with the work of the school, and Philip for that reason hated visitors; but it was his duty to be civil and patient.  Two inspectors called on two different occasions to examine the scholars.  One of them was scarcely sober, and he behaved in a manner so eccentric that the master had a strong temptation to kick him out.  However, he at last succeeded in seeing the inspector outside the door peaceably, and soon afterwards the department dispensed with that gentleman’s services.

He had obtained his office by favour of a minister at home for services rendered at an election.  His salary was 900 pounds per annum.  The next inspector received the same salary.  He was brother or brother-in-law to a bishop, and had many ancestors and relatives of high degree.  Philip foolishly showed him a few nuggets which he had picked up in Picaninny Gully, and the inspector showed Philip the letter by which he had obtained his appointment and 900 pounds a year.  It was only a couple of lines written and signed by a certain lord in London, but it was equivalent to an order for a billet on the government of Victoria.  Then the inspector said he would feel extremely obliged to Philip if he would give him one of his little nuggets that he might send it to my lord as a present, and Philip at once handed over his biggest nugget.  Little amenities of this kind make life so pleasant.  My lord would be pleased to receive the nugget, the inspector was pleased to send it, and Philip said “it cannot be bribery and corruption, but this inspector being a gentleman will be friendly.  When he mentions me and my school in his report he cannot possibly forget the nugget.”