Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-04-25

6'S"o obOltiy dibSl Wo ldnutu
In the immediate vicinity of our camp
ing place, and deeming il inexpedient
to expose our small party to danger, it
was decided to make the launch fast for
the night to huge tree that had fallen
from the bank, partly obstructing the
rapid current and making an excellent
breakwater, and to sleep on board.
"a light breeze down the river had
driven away the mosquitoes, which had
nearly eaten us alive ever since we had
left Tipoagua, and taking advantage of
this, Vermejho and slept that night in
the bow sheets of the launch instead of
in the stdffy little cabin. Tom Barry
joined US, going little further forward,
and dropped off to sleep as ! lay watch
ing the faithful fellows pipe glowing
like coal against the somber back
ground of the forest.
IAN hour might possibly have slipped
away, when was awakened by series
of the most appalling shrieks that ever
perhaps fell on mortal ear. can only
describe them as horrifying in their in
tensity, and pitiful beyond measure as
they broke in succession of appeals for
help upon the comparative stiffness of
that tropical night.
'The moon, which had been below
the horizon when l went to sleep had
now assembled to some considerable alti-
tude in the heavens, and by the rays of
the great satellite, | was enabled to be-
hold, as clearly almost as MONDAY, the
minutest details of scene that will re-
main forever indelibly impressed upon
my memory.
POISED above the bow of the boat, it's
scaly head bent far forward, / saw a
huge serpent of the anaconda species,
striking repeatedly at Tom Barry, who,
with his arms thrown around the for
ward bits of the launch, was endeavor-
ing to prevent the monster from drag
ging him from his hold. The sharp SER
rated teeth of the reptile had torn the
the blood ran in streams, while the
shrieks of agony which the poor fellow
emitted spoke only too eloquently of the
fearful peril in which he was placed.
Every now and then the huge serpent
would get hold on some part of the
clothing and it would break away the
rapidity with which one attack was fol-
lowed by another precluding all posi-
bility of Barry's defending himself, for
he had all he could do to prevent him
self from being snatched away bodi-
ly Awakened out of sound sleep
l was too dazed to act immediate
ly, and when l sprang forward with
the first weapon / could lay
hands on, a Delaying pin snatched from
the rack, my assistance had come too
late. The huge boa had succeeded in
getting grip that would hold, and
wrenching my old servant from his
weakened grasp of the bits as easily as
If he was mere infant, the reptile
hurled its now unconscious victim far
out of my reach. The next moment it
had turned, and moving along the sur
face of the fallen tree, plunged into the
forest.
"Horror-stricken as we were by this
dreadful sight, which occupying some
some time in its recital was only the
work Of few moments, we rallied in.
stantly. 1t was the work of half min
ute only for half dozen of us to arm
ourselves, to gain the shore and dash
rapidly in pursuit. Vermejho was among
the first to leap to land, repeating rife
in hand. The remainder of our quickly
formed party were three Brazilian men.
of-war's men and two native guides
These latter, though only armed with
short spears, courageously joined in the
pursuit, uttering loud cries. Without
them l doubt, indeed, if we could have
kept track of the serpent, which, not
withstanding its heavy burden, moved
through the underbrush at surprising
rate of speed, crossing the treacherous
morasses, and dashing through the long
thick grass. Following the example O.
the natives, who sprang nimbly from
root to root, circling the deeper pools
and avoiding, as it were, almos
by instinct, pitfalls into which
we should have undoubtedly fallen, W.
were thus enabled to make good pro
gress. 1t was of the utmost Importance
to press on rapidly. l knew we'll tina
this was the only way. If we abated ouI
pursuit an opportunity would be afforded
to the boa to coil himself around his vic
TINS body, and with few construction
of the great muscles, the poor fellow
fate would be sealed.
''On and on we went, guided now no
alone by the sharp eyes Of the natives
but by the crashing of the bushes as tn,
monster, putting forth every effort, en-
deavored to escape with its prey. Nov
we were so close to it that was almos
tempted to risk shot, but the quick
undulating movement of the reptile
gave little promise of success to such
snap shot in the uncertain moonlight
Suddenly, as we reached some risin,
ground, we entered wide and opel
glade, and then for the first time we ha,
an unrestricted view of the great ser
pent as he glided over the long gras
some fifty yards ahead of us. Willis
only portion of his body was visible a
time, his gigantic size could be easil,
conjectured or Appropriated by ALL ant
the sight was not an encouraging one,
can tell you. l roughly estimated hi
length to be from thirty-fve to fort
feet Subsequent and more accurat
, measurements proved that this wa
rather an over-estimate, but was no
, far wrong. His girth too, at the thick
est part of his body, was as large aroun
as the main-mast of the corvette, taper
, ing gradually to the neck and tail. Thi
enormous body was covered with a seal
and shining skin, beautifully marke
upon the under portion with curiou
stripes, extending along the body of tn
reptile throughout nearly its entir
length. Its head was low down, and