Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-07-28
Adventure with Serpent on the River
Amazon,

GMdZUU,
At an early dawn our travellers, who had
passed the night in the cabin of balza (boat)
prepared to move on their journey Guapo
united the cable and drew the end on
board. The baza began to move, slowly, at
first, for the current under the bushes was very
slight. All at once the attention of the
| voyagers was called to the strange conduct of
the pet monkey. That little creature was
running to and fro, first upon the roof of the
taldo, then down again, all the while utterng
the most piercing shrieks, as if something was
biting off its tail. 1t was observed to look up
ward to the branch of the zamang, as if the
| object of dread was in that quarter The
eyes of all were bent in the same direction
What was their horror on beholding stretched
along the branch, the hideous body of an
enormous sepent Only part of it could be
seen /; the hinder half and the tail were hidden
among the bromelias and the vines that in
masses clustered around the trunk of the
zamang, and the head was among the leaflets
of the mimoso but what they saw was enough
to convince them that it was snake of the
largest size-the great water boa"--the
terrible anaconda
The part of the body in sight was full as
thick as mans thigh, and covered with black
spots, or botches, upon ground of dingy yellow
1t was seen to glisten as the animal moved
for the latter was in motion, crawling along the
branch outward The next moment its head
appeared from the pendulous leaves, and its
long forking tongue, protruding several inches
from its mouth seemed to feel the air in front
of it. His tongue kept playing backward and
forward, and its viscid covering glittered under
bo fr< <J,ob
of the snake.
To escape from passing within its reach
would be impossible The balza was gliding
directly under it. Itcould launch itself abroad
at will it could seize upon any one of the
party without coming from the branch it
could coil its body around them with the con-
tracing power of its muscles. 1t could do all
this for it had crushed before now the tapir,
the roebuck, and even the jjaguar himself All
on board the boat knew its dangerous power
we'll and of course terror was visible in every
cOuntenanCe.
Don Pablo seized the axe and Guapo laid
hold of his MAcHETE (large bowie knife. y
Dona Isidor, Leon and little Leona were stand
ing fortunately they were) by the door Of the
taldo and, in obedince to the cries and
hurried gestures of Don Pablo and the Indian,
they rushed in and flung themselves down.
They had scarcely disappeared inside, when
the forward part of the balza, upon which
stood Don Pablo and Guspo, came close to the
branch, and the head of the serpent was on
level with their own. Both aimed their blows
almost at the same instant, but their footing
was unsteady, and the boa drew back at the
moment and both missed their aim. The next
moment and the current had carried them out
of reach, and they had no opportunity to strike
a second blow.
The moment they had passed, the hideons
head again dropped down and hung directly
over, as if waiting 1t was moment of in
tense anxiety to Don Pablo His wife and
children ! Would it select one victim and leave
the others, Oh
Hehad but little time for reflection. Already
the head of the snake was within three feet of
the taldo door. His eyes were glaring it
was about to dart down. ooh God have
mercy i! exclaimed Don Pablo falling on his
knees. "Oh God ~
At that moment loud scream was heard
1t came from the taldo and at the same
instant the monkey was seen leaping out from
the door. Along with the rest it had taken
shelter within but just as the head of the
snake came in sight fresh panic seemed to
seize upon it, and, as if under the influence Of
fascination, it leaped screaming in the direction
of the terrible object. 1t was met half way.
The wide jaws closed upon it, its shrieks were
stifed, and the next moment its silken body,
along with the head of the anaconda, dis
appeared among the leaves of the mimosa--
Another moment passed, the balza swept clear
off the branch, and floated triumphantly into
the open water.
Don Pablo sprang to his feet, ran into the
taldo, and after embracing his wife and children,
knelt down and offered thanks to God for their
most miraculous deliverance