The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-05-08
In THE THROAT OF A BOA.
BY COL. EDWARD b. TAYLOR.


81 can never look upon one of those
writhing, Shiny things without shud-
der" said my friend, Colonel Paul
Ballantyne, as we three (hls pretty
South American wife was of the partly
stood in front of the boa constructors
cage in the serpent-house at the Phlla-
delphia Geological Garden.
"A9d yet, DEAR" interposed Mrs.
BallantYne--and she laid a. hand
lovingly upon her husbands arm, and
looked up into his handsome face with a
wealth of love glowing in her lustrous
brown eyes-'if it had not been for the
serpent you would probably never have
met me. But perhaps you regret that u
she added, with pretty pout.
"Ah, that was the recompense ~ said
the Colonel, and he eyed her fondly.
"But for that, | think | could never have
summoned up fortitude enough to again
lock upon one of the monsters. As it is
| cannot repress the shudder, and in
fancy / feel myself again being sucked
down to death"
"You had an adyentu C, Colonel" l
ventured.
adventure" he echoed. "Well, l
should say so. The most horrible a man
ever experienced. But you dine with us
to-day, and then Pll tell you the story"
He did, and gave me permission to
print It, which / have done witho 1t
material alteration, and with the sub
stitution of fictitious names for the real
actors, who will doubtless read and re -
cognize this history.
Three years ago my friend was sent to
Venezuela, as the agent of firm of ma
hogany importers, who had purchased
some valuable forestry concessions in
that country.
The lumber tract lay along the banks
of one of the 5ayous of the Orinoco Riv-
er, about one hundred aud fifty miles
above the Isle of Barima
The Colonel examined the tract, Sc
lected site for a logging camp, and
proceeding to La Guayra, purchased
supplies, and engaged native Venezue-
Ian, named Guzman Mendo a, to super
intend the logging.
Indian laborers to fell the trees could
be engaged in any quantity in the vicin-
lty of the mahogany forest.
Mendoza was slightly-built surly-
faced fellow, with an uugovernable tenn
per, to which he gave way at the slight
est provocation. He was accompanied
by an Indian servant, named Jose, who
was much attached to his master.
Colonel Ballantyne had several wordy
quarrels with his forman, on the way up
the river, and he began to regret having
engaged so uncompanionable an assist
ant, but Mendoza thoroughly understood
his work, and soon convinced his en-
ployer that he was worth more than the
liberal salary that was paid him.
The camp was established, a corps of
native aXe-men engaged, and prepara-
tions were made to get together the
material for big mahogany raft, which
would be tioatsd down to the mouth of
the bayou, where the precious wood
would be loaded in vessels sent out by
the firm which employed the Colonel.
Accompanied by lose, who was
familiar with woodcraft, tine Colonel
made daily excursions into the forest
in all directions, to locate and mark the
trees.
The tract proved to be rich one.
Mahogany trees were there by the thou
sand, and the forest was interSectel by
NlNSho III dAA ulltNsAohs, dluuR WHICH
timber might readily be iloated to the
bayou, and thence to the river.
They had been in camp about a week,
and the work was progressing salts
factorily, when Mendoza, who had here
tofore been kept to busy too quarrel, got
into dispute with his employer and
had it not been for the interference OF
some of the Indian workmen, one would
have shot the other, for both men drew
their pistols.
After they had both had time to coo
down, the Colonel, who is naturally OF
the most forgiving disposition, apollo
gized to his antagonist, aud requested
that the matter hc forgotten.
He held out his hand in token o.
amity, but Mendoza, with shrug of his
shoulders, and contortion of his darl
face, turned on his heel and walked
away.
That night he and Jose held Ions
conversation, which was carried on in /
low tone of voice, but although the,
looked frequently toward the Colone
and exchanged significant shrugs, he die
not dream that they were plotting
treachery.
The next morning the Colonel aud Jo os,
started, as usual, for short expedition
IN the forest.