The Polynesian., 1841-09-11
s Ell &c TIE d.

A SERPENT. The writer having been out
shooting, lay down to rest under "a tree when
suddenly he was aroused by furious. bay
ing Of his dogs. "On turning round, l be-
held snake ofthe Cobra de Capelia species,
directing his course to point that would APP
proxilnate very close to my position. In an
instant was on my feet. The moment the
reptile became aware Of my presence, in
nautical phraseology, it boldly brough, to,
with an expanded head, eyes sparkling, and
neck beautifully arched, and the head raised
nearly two feet from the ground, and osciat-
ing from side to side, in manner plainly
indicative Of resentlul foe. seized the
Of the heaters, and hurled it at my opponents
head; was fortunate enough to Int it be-
meath the eye. The reptile Immediately fell
and lay apparently lifeless. Without mo-
ment's reflection, l seized it a little below
the head, hauled it beneath the shelter ofthe
tree, and very coolly sat down to examine
the mouth for the poisonous tangs, OF which
naturasts speak 80 much Whi.e in the act
Of forcing the mouth open with stick, felt
the head sliding through my hand, to my
utter astonlshment became aware that had
now to contend against the IN st deadly OF
reptiles in his full strength and vigor. In
deed, | was in q moment convinced of this,
for, "a | frightened my hold round his throat,
its body became wreathed round my neck and
arm. If the reader is aware of the univer-
sal dread in which the Cobra de Capelia is
held throughout India and the almos, instant
death which Invariably follows its bite, he
will, in some degree, be able to imagine
what my feelings were at the moment; lalnt
kind Of disgusting sickness pervaded my
whole frame, as felt the clammy fold ofthe
reptile tightening round my neck. still
held the throat, but to hold it much longer
would he impossible. Immediately beneath
my grasp there was an inward working and
creeping of the skin, which seemed to be
assisted by the very firmness with which /
held it. Finding, in defiance of my efforts,
that my hand was each moment forced closer
to my face, an idea struck me, that were it
in my power to transtix the mouth with some
sharp instrument, it would prevent the reptile
from using his fangs, should it escape my
hold. My gun lay at my feet-the ramrod
appeared the very thing required, which with
s'me difficulty succeeded in drawing out,
having only one arm disengaged. My right
arm was now trembling from over exertion,
and my hold becoming less firm, when hap
PLY succeeded in passing the rod through
the lower jaw up to its centre. 1t was MT
without considerable hesitation that let 90
my hold of tho throat, and seizing the rod in
both hands, at the same time, by bringing
them over my head, with sudden jerk, |
disengaged the fold from my neck, which
had latterly become almost tight enough to
produce stlangulation. There was then little
difficulty IN freeing my right arm, and uIt-
mately to throw the reptile from me to the
earth, where it continued to twist and wrhc
itself into thousand contortions of rage and
agony. TO run to a neighboring stream, to
lave my neck, hands, and face, in its cool.
ing waters, was my first act after despatch
Ing my formidable enemy. This concludes
a true, though plainly told tale. AS moral
it may prove, that when man is possessed
Of determination, GOODNESS, and energy, com.
bin+d with reason, he will generally come
off triumphant, though he may have to cir
cumvent the subtlety ofthe snake, or combat
the lerocity Of the tiger"