Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-12-25
SNAKE VERSUS OK.
A STORY ILLUSTRATING THE
PYTHON'5 GREAT STRENGTH.
A Monster Serpent Coils About a
BuIIock-Holding Its Own
Against Great Odds
The Outcome.

not little OF the rOugn slue vi S"'i"i
life, recently told a story which Illus
tratcs the great strength of certain large
serpcnts of the East Indies.
We had been speaking of the force OF
elephants, whales, lions and other large
vertebrate, and estimating the power
which it is possible to concentrate in
muscular tissue. It was this which
called out my friends story.
The Dutch, he said, who control Su-
matra, Java and several smaller islands
to the eastward of Java, have been ac-
customed to set free certain cattle IN
favorable localities Of their possessions,
in order that they may by their increase
furnish cheap beef supply, both for the
native and for Government use.
When the narrator was about eighteen
yeaiS old he was supercargo on board a
brig which made annual voyages into the
East Indian waters after sandal9ooj.
The vessel was lying in bay Oh the
coast OF an island to the north of Timor,
and the logs, or sections of the precious
wood, were drawn down to the beach
from a table land two or three miles in
the interior by Dutch proprietor who
had in his service six natives and as
many bullocks.
These animals were driven tandem
in single fe--on account of the narrow
ness of the trail, which led for some dis
tance across a marsh amongst huge trees,
and then ascendel through rocks and
crags to the dryer plateau, where the
santalum grows. The logs were trans
ported on narrow boat-shape1 "drag,"
without wheels or rollers.
The young supercargo, WAC was fond
of hunting aud adventure, often accom-
panied this odd team in its trips from
the shore to the plateau.
On the way up he often rode the drag
with the old Dutchmln, who was stout
and disincined to pedestrian exercise.
Upon one Of these occasions, when the
team had passed nearly through the
swampy forest tract and was near the
foot of the craggy ascent, the superclrgo
was amazed aid startled By singular
sight.
In the obscurity Of the dense foliage
above his head, he saw something which
he could compare to nothing save huge,
animated BARRIERS pole drop like fash
from the branches of the great trees
which overhung the path, AMI enfold
the OK next in front Of the rude vehicle
in which he and Mynhcer Huydecoper
were sitting. 1t was a python OF large
size, superbly marked.
From a large limb, ten or fifteen feet
above the OK, the snake had dropped or
swung down, and had thrown a fold Of
its supple body about tie neck Of the
poor animal, swift as a tigers
spring,
The natives took to their heels. Tho
OK thus feariully beset, beloved with
alright and, plungiug heallOng, jerSed
the drag so violently that the fat DItch-
man was sent rolling over its side.
Meantime the alarm was communicated
to the bullocks IN advance. Erecting
their tails, they bounded forward along
the trail and the drag. catching against
A tree-trunk or some other obstruction,
detached and left behind the cattle in
their mad fight.
For some distance they dragged their
hapless mate after them. The python
had kept its + ID around the ox's pech,
and was carried along with them. The
screaming OF the natives, the bellowing
OF the oxen, the hoarsc shouts Of the
Aeshy Dutchman, aud the swapping of
tackle, made the spectacle an exciting
one.
The reptile, infuriatei BY the rough
usage it was receiving, lasbe | right aud
left with the ten or twelve feet OF its
body that traiie1 after the ok. Then was
exhibited an example OF its tremendous
strength. Its tail came in contact with
tree beside the path. 1t threw turl
around the trunk, and instantly the fee.
ing bullocks were brought to a staul. In
vain they leapci aud sursei irregularly
forward.
Like stilT iron hook, the tail of the
python held its turn arounu the tree,
while its shining body was stretched taus
as a ships cable. Its fold around the
ox's neck tightcned till the choSed
animals tongue protruded and its eyes
bulged, still it held fast both to OK and
tree, nor could the terrified and plung-
ing team tear it away.
The young supercargo, dashing for
word, discharged his fowling-piece,
loaded with shot, at the reptiles body,
without producing any pcrccptible effect.
But Mynheer Huydeeoper, who 10y this
time had gathered himself up, nov ran
forward with a more efficacious weapon.
He had taken from the drag long
saw which was used by the workmen for
saving the tree trunks into logs. Rails
ing this in both hands, he brought It
doSn across the serpent as he would
lave done upon log.
The effect was instantaneous. The
python's tense body separated in two