The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-04-11
IN THE THROAT OF A BOA,
Ely COL. EDWARD B. TAYLOR,

Ely COL. EDWARD B. TAYLOR.
81 can never look upon one of those
writing, Shiny things without shud
DER, said my friend, Colonel Paul
ballantyne, as we three this pretty
south American wife was of the party
stood in front of the boa constructors
cage in the serpent-house at the PhIla-
delphla biological Garden.
"And yet, DEAR" interposed Mrs.
Ballantyne,-and she laid her hand
lovingly upon her husbands arm, ana
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 thatl'
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 NJ iortitude 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 adventure. ColonelYn 7
ventured.
Adventure" he echoed. swell. I
should say so. The most horrible man
ever experienced. But you dine with us
to-day. and then l'l tell you the story. "
lie did, and gave me permission to
print 1t, which | have done without
material alteration, and with the sub
stltution of fictitious names for the real
actors, who will doubtless read and re
cognize this history.
Ihree years ago my friend was sent to
Venezuela, as the agent of firm OF ma.
hogany importers, who had purchased
some valuable forestry CONFESSIONS in
that country.
The lumber tract lay along the banks
OF one OF the 5ayous of the Orinoco Riv-
err, about one hundred and fifty miles
above the Isle of Barima.
The Colonel examined the tract, Sc.
iected a site for logging camp, and
proceeding to La Guayra, purchased
supplies, and engaged native Venezue-
Ian, named Guzman Mendoza, 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 a 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, corps oil
native axe-men engaged, and prepare.
tions were made to get together the
material for big mahogany raft, which
would be hoated 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 'ose, who wa:
familiar with woodcraft, the 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 intersected BY
creeks in all directions, along which
timber might readily be tloated to tn
bayou, and thence to the river.
They had been in camp about week
and the work was progressing salts
factorily, when Mendoza, who had here
tofore been kept to busy too quarrel, go
into dispute with his employer, aat
had it not been for the interference o
some of the Indian workmen, one woult
have shot the other, for both men drew
their pistols.
After they had both had time to COG
down, the Colonel, who is naturally O
the most forgiving disposition, apollo
gized to his antagonist, and requeste'
that the matter be forgotten.
He held out his hand in token @
amity, but Mendoza, with shrug of hi
shoulders, and contortion of his dar
face, turned on his heel and wake
away.
That night he and Jose held a lon
conversation, which was carried on in
low tone of voice, but although the
looked frequently toward the Colon,
and exchanged significant shrugs, he di
not dream that they were plottin
treachery.
The next morning the Colonel and Jos
started, as usual, for short expeditio
in the forest.
It was a feast day with the indians
and they were making merry in tt
camp.
Jose carried a small Ratchet for mari
ing the trees, aud over his shoulder ws
slung haversack, containing lunch.
The Colonel walked in advance, arme
only with a small rife.
By noon they were ten miles from II
camp, and further down the bayou tina
they had ever been before
When they stopped for luncheon ne,
small spring, ose informed his patro
that they were only few miles dista,
from the extensive coffee and indis
plantation of General Antonio De Silv
who controlled leagues of forest land
the vicinity, and from whom the Amer
can mahogany merchants had purchase
the logging right.
After lunch the Colonel lighted h
pipe, and leaned his back against
great tree-trunk to enjoy an after dim
smoke
Near by was clump Of low bushe
bearing yellowish berry, aad be ask'
.'ose if they were good to eat.
Jose examined them. and immediate
declared that they were excellent.
al have often eaten them down t,
ward the coast, senor," he said, ''but
have never seen any before so far in t
Interior.
He tasted the berries, pronounc