New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-08-29

[From the Bengal Hurkara.

lFrom the Bengal Hurkara.l
Sir-My object in now addressing the following
through your columns, is to remove the doubt en-
tertained by many with regard to the subject it
treats upon; hence request that you be pleased
to aid in giving II an early ventilation.
/ have perused with some interest the cores
pondence which passed some time ago between
Major Macauly, of the 23d regt., L. l., and Mu-
nora correspondent of the Sindian, regarding the
contest of the cobra and the mOngoose. Major
Macauly asserted that the mongoOse dies from the
Inflammation caused by the bite of the cobra;
while on the other hand the Sindan maintained
from the effects of the venom, and the sure remedy
of the animal against it was the particular herb.
did not place any reliance upon the veracity of
these statements (Which had been the case with
many of its readers, as some supposed that the
mongoose has prophylactic in its blood, and
others held different hypothesis, till of late, when
l had the opportunity of witnessing myself the
encounter of the two inveteTate foes. The asser-
| tion of the Munora correspondent, l observed,
was borne upon fact.
late for public information. A large cobra was
| seen issuing out of a bramble-bush as if the
| animal was pursued by an enemy. Subsequently
| a full grown mongo0se seemed to be the pursuer.
The snake exhibited signs of great fear and alarm
and hastened to run away as soon as possibles
the mongoose was evidently unwilling to let the
pursued escape; and in order to arrest the course
of the cobra, it took semi. circular route and
| came upon it, whereupon the former halted and
raised itself with expanded hood kissing at its
assailant. The mongoose, daunting nothing
at its formidable adversary's threats, began to
move in a circle round the cobra, with low purr
| ing as that of q cat. He made several circuits.
the cobra twisting on all sides he moved and
within that time gradually raised itself to the full
length standing almost perpendicular, only the
tip of the tail being on the ground, as if the cobra
had great apprehension of its head, which it held
as high as possible beyond the reach of the mon
goose. This scheme effected naught. The oppo-
nent now shifted and making high bound passed
over the head of the cobra and came at
its back. The cobra instantly faced him.
Having repeated the feat two or three times,
the mongooSe stepped backward to the distance
of nearly three feet, and then taking proper
; aim suddenly darted upon the cobra and inflicted
a severe bite on the neck, both falling dswn. at
the same time the mongoose,s still retaining the
i hold, the cobra twisted over the mongoose very
u tighty. This brought him to the upshot Of yield
2 ing to the power of his enemy, as plainly saw
r that the mongoose could not move his limbs for
him, but only kept his hold fast. In this position
they struggled at intervals, and at times lay mo-
, tionless The contest between these two we'll
known enemies began at A. N. and ended at
about 10. l observed the above occurrence from
, behind the stem of large tree at g distance OF
}. twenty-four or twenty yards. Now curiosity drew
. me nearer, behind another one, which left only a
space of fourteen or fifteen yards between me aaG
8 the scene of the combat. Thence, / had clearsl
g view as to what was going on. The mongoos
l. outmatched the cobra, though he was the longes
l ever saw. The cobra grasped him so tightly
y that believed the creature would die, and no
u being able TO retain his hold, he gave in. The
CODfh, awaiting Hlinsel OF Ln6 opportunity
i, ficted severe sting, cannot say on which par
3 of its antagonists body and instantly raised hi
" head very angrily.
Il The mongoose drew back and left the place ap
rt parently with much symptoms of distress, and 60
2 into an adjoining bush. The cobra moved not a
inch from the spot, stood as before with expande
q hood and looking earnestly in the direction tn
n, mongoose had gone. Now l felt that the fgl
MS was over, and intended to find my way from tn
N place, but to my astonishment, before fifteen mil
~ utes could pass, the mongoose returned with n
doubled strength and activity, went direct to Ii
IS, cobra, masticatng something. He then sprang
IL the cobra and bit the animal on the same part
A. had first done. Both fell to the ground, and aft
> q desperate struggle, which lasted for near
IL eighteen minutes, the cobra totally eonquere
1t began to relax its hold; ultimately stretehil
lei on the ground and quiVering its tail, it expire
wi The mongoose devoured small portion of his "
TINS flesh, and left the residue the spot for
M comrades tofeast upon and finally quilted the fe
las The mongoose has no prophylactio gland to col
,b teract the effect Of the cobras sting; but the
ar ticular herb is the only sure antdote against
Va, venom. A, YoppCoCK
j AnrI