The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-05-24
Number %.

| The Boa AND THE MoskEY-In the yesr
1898. an English officer, who was stationed
with his regiment in the neighborhood Of
kulladgee. IN India region in which mon
keys abound IN numberless quantities. and
whose yells. shrieks. and hootings were indie
sonosoly wild-was a witness of most ex-
sraordinary scene. which he has thus sketched:
Il was one day. with a native for = compan-
ion, climbing one of the slantlng ascents of
the Runmuddle cliff, when became aware
that an unusual commotion reigned amongst
my friends the monkeys. which had by this
time got SO famiiarized with my appearance,
that they seldom condescended to honor me
with . snarl or bough flung towards me in
sport. Creeping round a rock. behind which
they appeared TO congregate. and on which
grew large gumarabic tree completely gold
en- with the abundance of yellow blossoms
which covered IL. At once found myself on
the stage of strange tragedy in Siamian life
In the voluminous folds OF boa constructor
was being slowly inwrapped beautful brown
monkey, whose last cries and struggles demo
ted that came too late. even had been pre-
pared to do battle with the reptile. in the
cause OF oppressed innocence. The monkeys,
IN evident ALARM raE hither and thither mob
ing and mewing. and chattering. but not one
advanced near the spot, where presently their
poor companion became almost quite lien
from view in the embrace of it's destroyer.
Determined to watch the prcess of the affair."
l quietly sat down until gradually the monk
ey had been moulded, as it were. into proper
condition for deglutition. for could hear the
bones crack as they broke beneath the pres
ure 10 which they were subjected; and ere
long, as the serpent began 10 untwist its folds,
| could admire al leisure the magnlfcence of
its glittering scales, that shone like some rich
ly variegated metallic substance. shuddered
as beheld its grand ard awful head-the
prominent orbits of the eyes-and the eyes
themselves large. and luminous with fiery
light The creature was least twenty feet
in length, and was apparently famished by
long fast. Perfectly needless of the noise
made by the monkeys. it unwound its coils
Till the victim. now an unrecognisable mass.
lay before it fabricated and fit to be received
into the destrover's stomach. When the rep
tile had fairly commenced its repast. and the
before faccid body began to fill and swell, l
retired from the arena of conflict and hall Of
banquet. desirous of summoning my friend to
to assist me in capturing the stated giant
knew that when gorged TO repletion, there
would be no difficulty in making = prize of
the serpent; and he readily entered into my
plans.
Accompanied by stout lascar bearing a
strong cudgel and sharp knife. for slaughter
anu ohiuliiig, We loSl no IIne IN feAcnlnR the
scene. when, however, fresh marvels were
being enacted. proving that the passion of re-
venge is not confined to the human breast.
Keeping aloof. we resolved not to mar by any
Interference the by means mystifying
operations in which the monkeys were en-.
gagged The boa constructor lay. thoroughly
gorged. and like log of wood. beneath the
the same projecting mass of cliff where had
left it. On the summit of this rock troop Of
monkeys had assembled. and three or four of
the largest and strongest were occupied in dis
placing immense fragment Of massive
stone. already loosened by time and elements,
from the rest of the ledge This mass almost
overshadowed the reptile. BY enormous ex-
ertlons, made in a silence that was rare with
them. they at last succeeded in pushing it on
wards until it hung over the boa's head. when,
uttering fierce yell. in which every separate
voice mingled. by vigorous movement they
showed it sheer down. The heavy mass fell
right on the serpents head. crushing it as if it
were a coa-nut; and as the reptile lashed
its fearful tail about in the final struggles for
Hte We could not refrain from joining in the
singular chorus Of rejoicing with which the
monkeys now celebrated their accomplished
vengeance.