West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-01-18
The boa Constructor.

II was at the latter cnd OF the DIR,
season. in the intcrminablc wilds o
South America, that we might be said (,
languish, as shrubs without water. but
even In this state Of heat and drought
IL is dangerous to remain without exer
else so, arming our legs and feet with
buskins OF cork, we took our rifles, and
went into the swamps, TO see what We
! should meet with in the way of game.
! We wandered forth, and my friend,
| the major, observed 10 mo that a change
| OF weather would assurcdly take place,
! by the shooting OF his corns
Twilight faded, and all was still. The
stars were surrounded with halos, and
the southern cross resembled conste,.
lation of comets, but was soon lost In
the darkness. Then the winds, which
had hitherto been more than usually
still, began To blow then the signal
blasts from every point of the compass
in turn; yet tho leaves were if possible.
moro still than ever, and IL was pitchy
dark
Now, however, there came CLEAN Of
light, which cnveloped earth and air,
and then the elements seemed To burst
with n violent crash. Tho Andes, on
their eastern slope, were one blaze of
lightning and voice of thunder, amid
which the fire of the volcano was not
seen, nor the sound of the earthquake
heard. Then were the windows OF
heaven opened, and, amid tho glare of
the lightning and the believing Of the
thunder, the clouds, M IL were, tumbled
headlong, till the earth received one
continual cascade from the sky.
This was the arousing OF all crca-
tures-from the highest roosting birds,
down TO the serpents and the boas; and
the sounds of terror at the present dan
ger, and OF Joy at the pleasure which
this violent outbreak Of nature in sure
To bring, were blended together in 40
many notes and keys, that the creatures
appeared 10 be ~ much In chaos IA the
elements; and there was such a wrig-
cling, and crowding, and bursting, and
dashlng, and living, AZ was both aston
ishing and alarming
When the dTcnchinV rains had passed
every ravine had its cascade every hol-
low it's lake and each of the larger riv-
era rolled onward IA "A sea, AZ If they had
mustered their powers TO give battle TO
the ocean. Such was the turn of the
tropical season, which raises the great
serpents of America from their tempo
rary inaction and sends them high i'm
the trees, or distant tO their haunts, 10
begin the season of activity.
Being prevented by the rains of the
past evening, we took our excursion
on the following day, amid an uproar
of waters, and whirlpools, and fallen
trees, and broken banks, such IA had
never seen. The whole Of the earth
seemed chaotic, and in the confusion
writhed many n snake Of enormous
length, and many reptile recalled to
state of activity and vigOr
As we went through the swamp on
such passable places AZ were left us we
were astOnlshed, as we approached
large tree, 10 see the enormous folds of
boa constructor, one of the largest ever
seen, twisted about it's trunk, while it's
eager head was raised upon it's branches,
as il ready TO dart down upon us
We lost no time--our Mexican was mt
hand with his spear, and, with more
courage than wisdom, made lunge
with it in the direction of the tree. He
pierced the reptiles skin, who immedi-
atelY dropped, and ran along the grass
The Mexican followed, but in a mo-
ment the serpent encom passed him
We heard the breaking OF his ribs and
bones by the pressure of the creature
His cry was short, but piercing. We
flew 10 his rescue, but too late. ! pre-
sented my double-barreled gun and
fired /, however, missed my aim. The
major drew closer, and just as the boa
raised his head and opened his enor-
nous Jaws, fired at him.
Slightly wounded, tho monster again
made for the dingle with incredible
speed, but, turning himself sharply
around, came in the line of my rife. ]
Immediately gave him second shot,
which told we'll, for he rolled himself
up, and threw himself into number Of
hideous contortions, kissing and squeak
ing in furious manner, while the blood
spurted from his throat and nOstrils.
Determined not 10 lose him, we drew
our swords, and made several slashes at
such parts Of his long CARCASS as were
within our reach but, tenacious Of life,
1T was some time before we could thor
Oughly subdue him. At last, however,
he lay without motion-he WAS dead.
We now went 10 our poor Mexican, In
whom life was also extinct. Upon
making An examination of his body, we
found his arms, shoulder blades. and
breastbone had been crushed together
with such force that the upper part Of
his body was n shapeless lump.