Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-01-27
4}listclIaalcous.
Fight between a MungOOze and a Cobra
dc Capeli0.

Gb SdPeIi0I
Being desrous Of seeing combat between
this snake and its uvcterato enemy the mum
goozo, Tan animal similar to the ichcmon of
Egvpt) requested the charmer to exhibit Il
fight ofthis kind. He instantly consented, and
as every one ofthcse men carry not only snakes,
but Mungoozes with them, and led us out into
the compound-lhe field attached to almost ev.
cry house in the cuutonment. Having ex-
pressed our fears lest any one of the party
might be injured by the reptile. he proposed
that the exhibition should take place under an
enormous pheasant-coop OF worked wire which
was lying unused in the courtyard. This was
acceded TO, and, at our suggestion, the snake
first taken in the morning was selected for the
fight. The mouth of the vessel in which he
was enclosed was placed under the edge Of the
COOP, and the covering suddenly Withdrawn
In a moment after the cobra cupeo darted out.
The kedgeree-pot was taken away, and the
edges of The pheasan'ry let down. During Two
or three minutes the monster pOked his nose ali
round the enclosure, evidently wishing to cs-
cape; but finding this impossible, he quietly
coiIed himself up, freeing, however, his magniti-
cent head from the folds, and remained in Il
sort of lisess attitude. Presently the man pro.
duccd the mungooze, and let him in to his ad
versary. Never was more surprised. This
was the first time had seen one. ! had expec
tod to behold somewhat powerful opponent
Never could have supposed that SO small an
animal would have 10 cope with scrpenls of the
largest and deadlesl kind; such, however, was
the cas-. The little creature VIII ch now snifEad
around the edge of the coop, was about half as
large again as an English rat, of a mouled col
or, with small red eyes, and would have been
very ugly animal, had it not been for its tail,
which was long and bushy, in circumference,
near the centre, almost as large as the little
body TO which it was attached. For time the
mungooze ran about without going directly up
10 the snake, which, however, having perceived
its tormentor, on its first entrance, bad prepared
to give battle. Suddenly the IiuIc creature,
which seemed 10 be but moulhul for its ad-
versury, saw the snake, and without hesitation
ran up 10 it. SO apparently unequal contest
never before nor since beheId. The cobra ca
pelIo had reared ITSELF and spread out its hood
"A sor of neshy cape it initiates when irrilatcd,
and which has given rise TO It's dasiguatlon.--
Tho marks around its eyes resembed PAIR of
snsctacIes. It's marble stained scales seemed all
st;,. ds il raised itself some three feet high to
,,,eo, ,be ,"ack of the liue savage whose fiery
nves seemed Sill! 'Aenly 10 glow like rcd-hot Gin
ders as it rushed towards lis mighty enemy and
bit il. The snake dartel. st II, ,squeezed Ii' IN,
tiie,ed its deadly wound, ant then threw lsef
back The muugoozo was evlGgnliY disabled
Faint, and almost dyeing, it rerealed' Many
of us fancicd that the battle was over, and re-
GREETED the untimely end Of the courageous lit
tc beast. After limPing about for some time,
and even laying down with exhaustion, the mum
cooze began TO poke its nose on the grass
Wbot il swallowed none have ever been able to
trace, though large rewards have been offered
for the discovery. What the herb Is the lItle
animal parlakes of none can tell, pu1 cerlaihly
its effects are miraculous; for no soe&er dId 'he
creature imbiba the sought-for anIldote' thPn It
suddenly recovered its pristine streHSlh, ana
again attacked the serpent. The scene Was re-
enacted no less than seven times; each time th1
cobra appearing weaker and weaker, lill it ar-
uaIly tired out. The mungoozo at length sue.
ceeded in catching the monster by the throat,
10 the admiration of all present, and came off
yiclorious.-BeniLsy'S Miscellany.
Nrw CAvE.--rhe editor of the Wisconsin
Argus, accompanied by several friends, recent
ly entered upon an exploration of newly dis
covered cave, in Dane county, near Madison.
They wandered through its labyrnths for sew
eral hours, but found no signs oiits termination.
No doub, il will constitute the ground work for
a story of somo venturcsome and enterprlslng
eyplaeer hercalter'