Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1878-02-21
"Por Dios, le anaconda !"

Water was again applied, and this
time she awCke with less difficulty
than before. We watched the dark
eyes unfold with no little apprehen-
sion. She regarded us with the
same vacant stare. l said as smooth
ingly as l could :
Don't fear, Senorita, you are
among friends"
She seemed to gather her senses
and take courage. After little
while she was enabled to explain TO
us that she lived in the neighbor-
hood with her father and family,
that she had strolled out among the
mountains further than usual on
the present occasion, that she had
set down to rest, and that all Of n
sudden her appalled, vision encount-
cred the ugly head Of the serpent ad-
vaucing toward her. She screamed
and tainted, We had arrived on
/ the spot a moment later, and the
reader knows the rest.
We told her we were English trav-
elers, that we could have no greater
| pleasure than to hefriend her, and
that we would see her home. This
we did, and having received the
warmeSt thanks of herself and rela-
tives, we started to look again after
the serpent.
We found our way to the opening
among the rocks by the same route
rs before. The snake had left the
the top Of the rock, and his mass of
coils were folded mostly at the south
side CT the cleared space while his
b.asSy head, with its muddy yet
twinkling eyes, and its slowly fork
ed tongue, lay lust where the girl
had lain when ! reached Ter.
The animal was either summing
himself or plotting more mischief in
state OF deliberative repose per
hapS both. lii size this was the
largest specimen ever saw, and as
large as any truthful descriptions l
ever heard narrated. And regard
ing the size of the reptiles as related
by adVen:urers, yarnstretcherS, and
even by the majority of enthusiastic
naturaliSts who have a pasSible rep
utation for veracity, let ms advise
the reader always to allow for sever
al breadths in them-especially hair
breadthS and those made out of the
whole cloth.
The monster was IN my excited
fancy the largest snake I had ever
seen. 1t was, may safely say with
every regard for verify, as large
round as mans body, and this in
his ante-breakfaSt condition. We
stood looking at him with distended
eyes, as he lay in the sun. his back
in the light cleaning like FURNISHED
brass. His was case that admit
ted of small delay. Should we at
tract his attention we might not be
Objectionable TO his pal tie for re-
past.
''Hist I" says Wilson ''let's get
in front of him il we cam
$50 as to get a good chance at his
eyes ?"
Eyes creep after me-still.
He's in admirable position"
We found ourselves on the top of
the rocks at the opposite side of he
incloSure. The monster had not
stirred. As We FAised our rifles lie
began 10 twinkle his wicked eye at
Us, seeing us for the first time.
Even as we raised the hammers Of
our weapons he began to wriggle
preparatory to motion toward Us,
Evidently he thought he should not
be cheated out Of his breakfast af-
ter al.
"Ncw, my boy, and look alive as
soon as you ire One, two, thr-"
Bang went both our pieces stimuli
taneously. The smoke rolled out.
We ran along the road till we could
see the effect Of our shots. Both
bullets seemed to have taken effect.
The creature had drawn back as if
stunned, with the blood flowing
from his head, and his eyes appar-
emily demolished. 1t was only for
a moment, and then-well, l never
tefOre had an idea OF the ferocity of
sudden motion. He drew his i'm
mence length together, and then
Ike black thunderbolt, let himself
fly into the air, at the cloud OF
smoke, with force that made the
joints and folds OF his coat TO snap.
Then lie fell back and commenced to
wrlthe and twist, uttering Il pecu.
liar, Vengeful hiss, and a cry like al
infants.
While we rel) AGED, rage and pain
seemed to get the mastery over him.
He began to strike himself with his
fangs, thrash about and raise most
trightful commotion and terrible
dust. lie grew every instant more