The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-08-24

told thcm that he had heard the snake
had tried to issue from the caves on the
southern side, but had beat Il retreat III
these dangerous rcccSSeS on being greet
ed with a vollcy. With the Wardcns
marty were also tn" Colonial Secretary,
Mr.. Mccarthy, Srrgt Giblan, the armed
police from town, and guides from
among the resident, of the Arima
heights. But other parties were also oh
the warpath, and the party received
several additions on the way. From AL
reports it was now clear that the lluiilla
was at bay. But how best to engage
him and destroy him in the deep cavl-
ties of the hill. where there was even
rushing stream and Il kind of StySlan
pool, was the excited subject of discus
sion on the way.
1.-THE following plan of campaign
was, however, finally agreed upon. lie
was to be shot down when and where to
be seen, and dogs would be used to
trace his exact haunt and give notice of
his coming in case of rush outward.
Besides the guides, Mr.. Deveni>h was
well acquainted with the immense caves
where. besides the weird Guacharo, the
great serpcn; had now taken up his
abode These caves, like many others
in this island, had long been known to
be tcnantcd by tho gloomy Gaucharo or
/ D.ablotin. 1t WAS also said that besides
their having entrances il each side Of
the mountain a foamaT waterfall cX-
s;cd IN the concJyitir, of the interior,
Il, the foot Of which was large pool,
the waters of which We're supposed TO
Now through dark AID sinupus Subtcr-
rtucous passages to become on the level
Of The va'lcy 4 tributary or perhaps the
head wafer, OF the Arlina river itself.
The War,lcn's party having reached
/ tie caves and an1thcc large parry hold
;ng ;lc entrance on The valley in the
northern sidc, sort OF f-rlora hope b
he Warden and principal for members
of his party wa, organized for gradual
4 entrance into the C.!rcrni ~ iar as the
!i@.t OF day pcnc;ruiel preceded by 4
couple Of dog, held in leash b. guides.
Nothing vas noticed for some minutes
as the party stumbled their WAY over the
rough rocks, save the murmur of the
fail and tic mourniui half scrccch Of
the dismal Guacharo bird. 50 expressive
" rendered by the Spanish word 'llantc. >
Bat as they drew nearer the pool at the
foot of the waterfall. the dogs began to
get excited and to evincc a decided ill
clination to run back. There was sufli-
Gent light streaming through the en-
frances to distinguish pretty clearly all
objects in the interior in the direct line
of the entrances. The party halted,
both ON account of the unruly DISPOSE
ton of the dogs and because one of the
guides stated he had seen something
moving in the pool.
"With rifles cooked, all eyes were
now fixed upon the pool. The dogs
now began TO howl, and whether the
noise rou,el the terrible occupant of the
caves or he otherwise became aware of
the existence of the party, the head of a
monstrous snake suddenly appeared on
the surface of the pool, and two large
and lustrous eyes became fixed with
diabolical gl,am on the intrudcrs. An
angry hiss, like the plunging OF rcd
hot beam INFO the pool, issued from the
h.deou, head. A mu.tered signal, and
a volley rang with reyer5crating cchoc1
through the caves. Large stones fell upon
the roof, and the start led Guncharos flew
wildly in all directions, ut;ering their
dismal scrccch. The HULA had not
been killed by the bullets aimed at his
5 head. With great rapility he seemed to
) uncoil his length from the depths of the
!, pool, and with fully twenty five feet o.
his body raised and curved forward as il
2 TO dart at his assailers, he seemed to b,
emerging from the pool.
c "a few whispered words notified hal
e the party to aim at his heal and tn
o:her half at the central part of his body
| The second vnllnv nrnduced the desirel