Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-05-24

OF the valley q tributary OF ptIh"P' NNN
head waters of the Arlina river itself
.rThe Wardcn's party having reached
tie caves and another large party hold
ing the entrance on the valley in the
northern side, sort of forlorn hope by
the Warden and principal for members
of his party was organized for gradual
| entrance into the cavcrns as lar as the
light Of day penetrated, preceded by a
couple of dogs held in leash BY guides.
Nothing was noticed for some minutes
as the party stumbled their way over the
rough rocks, save the murmur of the
fall and the mouruful half screcch OF
the dismal Guacharo bird, so expressive
ly rendered by the Spanish word 'llante.
But as they drew nearer the pool at the
foot of the waterfall the dogs began to
get excited and to cvincc a decided in
cluation to run back. There was sufii-
cicnt 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 disposi-
ton of the dogs and because one of tho
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 reused the terrible occupant of the
caves or he otherwise became aware of
the existence Of the party, the head of
monstrous snake suddenly appeared on
the surface Of the pool, and two large
and lustrous eyes became fixed with
diabolical gleam on the intruders. An
angry hiss, like the plunging of a rcd
hot beam into the pool, issued from the
hideotfs }ffc-r g.1d aud
volley rang with rcverberating echoes
through the caves. Large stones fell upon
the roof, and the startled Guncharos flew
wildly in all directions, uttering their
dismal screcch The HULA had not
been killed by the bullets aimed at his
head. With great rapidity he seemed to
uucoil his length from the depths Of the
pool, and with fully twenty five feet Of
his body raised and curved forward as if
to dart at his assailers, he seemed to be
emerging from tho pool.
"a few whispered words notified half
the party to aim at his head and the
other half at the Central part Of his body.
The second volley produced the desired
effect The colossal snake leaped wholly
out cf the pool, and with q few terrible
convulsions, in which he lashed the
water and the floor of the cavern, he
sank quivering to the ground, third
vollcy for a quietus insuring his certain
death. This fact was then made sure
Of, and the caves were soon invaded by
the pursuers.
''The monster was dragged out into
the level and found to measure AZ feet,
the thickcst part Of his body having a
diameter Of two aud half feet. In
color, he was yellow in the under part
of his body, dark above, with dark
rings cncircling the body, between
which semi-lunar gray disks served as
spots to varicgate the skin. He was
opened with the machetas of some cocoa
pruners under the direction of Mr.. Nc
Carthy In him there were found the
half -digested body of deer, and a num-
Der of forma paupcris forms, probably
swallowed by him, with the body of
some unknown and unfortunate cocoa
contractor.
"By $50 P. NJ. the joyful concourse,
dragging the monster, reached Arima,
where the necessary steps were taken to
preserve the carcass for display in the
Council Hall Of Port Of Spain. The ox-
citing occurrences connected with this
monster are still the subject of general
discussion and gossip. The island has
not for long time been disturbed by
tragic incidents of this extraordinary
nature"