Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-10-21
Capt. Speke's Adventure with a
Boa Constructor.


way to "the path" There were no ami
mails there when we arrived, except a
few hippopotami, and we were obliged to
wait the coming OF some more palatable
game. Our patience, however was Sc
verely taxed and after a long delay we
were about to " bag hippoPofamus,
when one of our attendants, perched in
tree about mile distant, began waving
his blanket. This was signal that
game was approaching. We immedi-
ately drew into cover, and awaited the
coming up of the latter.
We were not delayed long, for pres
emily long column of animals, from the
elephant to the hoodoo, appeared in view
trotting at a good pace to the river
Their tanks were soon presented to US,
and each selecting his object fred
McColl shot fine young Buffalo COW
whilst Capt. Grant was equally success
full with a hoodoo, and several spears
cast by our attendants, stopped the ca
reer of one or two different animals oil
the herd.
AT this juncture, however, occurred an
unexpected adventure, that finished our
sport at least for that day. / had sprung
forward Immediately after firing, in Or
der to obtain a fair shot at huge ele-
plant that wanted to bring down on
account of his immense tusks. got the
desired aim, and pulled the trigger of the
second barrel. AT the moment of my
doing so wild cry of alarm, uttered By
one of the blacks, called my attention.
CHANGING round, my eye CHANGED to range
up into the foliage of the tree beneath
which Capt Grant and myself had lain
for several hours previous. My feelings
may possibly be imagined, as beheld an
immense boa constructor, whose hideous
head and neck projected some distance
into view, showed that he was about to
make fatal spring. His direction was
certainly toward me, aud as he flashed
from his position like thunderbolt, |
gave myself up for dead, ere aid could
reach me fold after fold of the monster
would have crushed my frame into a
quivering pulp. fell, seemingly caught
in a whirlwnd of dust, and a strange in
describable scufile ensued. In the midst
of this terrible strife, suddenly became
of the presence of second
victim, and even after the time that has
elapsed since then, still recollect with
what vividness the thought shot across
my mind, that this second victim was
Capt. Grant, my noble companion. AT
last, after being thus whirled about for
several seconds, each second seeming toI
be interminable, there ensued lull, a
stiffness Of death, and ! opened my eyes,
expecting to look upon those unsxplored
landscapes which are seen only in the
country beyond the tomb. Instead of
that saw Capt. Grant leveling his rife
toward me, while standing beside and
behind were the blacks, in every con-
ceivable attitude of the most intense sus-
pense.
In moment ] comprehended ALL
The huge serpent had struck young
buffalo COW, between which and him
had most unluckily placed myself at the
moment of firing upon the elephant. A
most singular good fortune had attended
me, however, for instead Of being crushed
into mangled mass with the unfortunate
COW, my left forearm only had beer
caught in between the bufalo's body ant
single fold Of the constructor. The
limb laid just in font Of the shoulder a
the root Of the neck, and thus had sof
bed of flesh, into which it was jammed
as it were, by the immense pressure o
the serpent's body, that was iron in hard
ness. As / saw Grant was about tt
shoot, terror took possession Of me, 70
if he refrained might possibly escape
after the boa released bis folds from tn
dead COW. But should he fire and strik
the reptile, it would in its commissions
crush or drag me TO pieces. Even as th,
idea came TO me, beheld Grant pause
He appeared TO fully comprehend all
He could see how | was situated still liz
ing, and that my delivery depended OF
the will Of the constructor We coul(
see every line on each others face, Sc
close were We, and would have shouted
or spoken, or even whispered to him, hac
i dared. Bot the boa's head was reared
within few inches of mine, and lh,
wink of an eyelid would perhaps settl,
my doom, so | stared, stared like deat
man at Grant and at the blacks.
Presently the serpent began very grad
ually TO relax his folds, and re-tighteninf
them several times as The crushed buffalo