Horatio Alger

“ Both boys procured sticks and began to poke at the log. Presently they felt something move and a half-dazed snake came into view.
"There's your animal, Ned!" exclaimed Joe.
"Oh, a snake! Keep him away!" roared Ned, badly frightened.
"He can't hurt you--he is too stiff from the cold," answered our hero, and quickly dispatched the snake with a stone. ”

“ The boys tramped around the vicinity for a good half hour, and then sat down on a hollow log to eat a lunch they had brought along.
"Let us build a fire beside the old log," said Ned. "It will help to keep us warm."
Joe was willing and the two boys soon had some leaves and twigs gathered, and placed some good-sized branches on top to make the blaze last. Then they began to eat and to warm themselves at the same time.
"This log would make a good hiding-place for some wild animal," remarked Ned. "Can anything be inside?"
"It's not likely, Ned. The smoke would drive out any living creature." ”