Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1891-12-26
GIANT SNAKES.
An Exciting Python Hunt in South
Africa.

Africa.
II the Bosiesman, or bushman OF
South Africa, has one dainty that
tickles his palate more than any 9th
er, it is baked python-the flesh ofthe
huge species Of snake generally known
as the boa constructor.
The natives method OF hunting this
reptile is different from that employed
IN their pursuit OF any other game, in
asmuch as while body OF fifty or
100 men Is engaged in the chase, the
action belongs to one man in the
search and to two At the end
During my sojourn in Africa / once
met a party Of bushmen who were
about to undertake python hunt,
writes W. f. Pond in The Youths
Companion. | knew several OF the
men. was curious to see their
methods Of hunting the python, and
lett our camp on the plains to Join
them.
A days journey brought us well in
to the tangled primeval bush. While
we eamped for the night scouts were
out IN all directions in search ofpyth-
on trails. So far as | could learn,
these consisted ofcurious marks about
the pools and dry ''kIoofs, or water
courses. What the signs were could
not ascertain.
Il was late the following day when
our scouts returned with the informa-
ton that there were traces OF two
large reptiles about two hours tramp
away. Early the next morning the
start was made.
We had not proceeded far before the
forest become exceedingly dense. The
broad-ieaved trees stretched their
arms on all sides, and it was with
difficulty that the rays OF light filter.
ed through the green screen. turning
the gloom into a kind OF thick. green
ish-black haze that made the ewes
ache until they became accustomed
to IT., and caused the pupils to dilate
until they cleaned like those OF rep
tile.
Here and there rough path was
broken through the rough under
growth, evidently by the passage of a
rhinocerous, elephant or other giant
OF the woods forcing his way through
the nearest pool.
These tracks were the haunt Of the
pythons. Coiled around limb over
head. motionless, looking like part
OF the tree, the reptiles watch for the
passage OF some animal which they
may deyour.
There was a curious stiffness in these
solitudes; the hiss OF a small snake.
the twitter of grasshopper or a To-
Gust, the boot of an owl, or the occa-
sional chatter of monkey sounded
strangely aggressive
Our party was divided into tens.
Nine OF each party spread themselves
ont with just enough space between
each two men to enable them to scan
every tree and every open space,
while the tenth man remained come |
distance In the rear. did not know |
until later what had become of him.
was between two natives, and sim |
ply threaded my way as quietly as | |
could, not bothering myself with try |
ing to discern any object in thegIoom. !
] could rely upon the sharper ewes OF |
the natives, and the knowledge that |
when the quarry was found | should |
be brought to it.
For offensive arms the natives had /
only their puny, but terrible bows and |
arrows, which, instead of sticking in |
the headdress, as i'll the open, were
now slung upon their backs in a rude |
bark CULVER.
Each man carried a thin cord OF sin
net, or twisted bark fiber, about as
thick as thread, and perhaps from
sixty to eighty yards in length. Ihad |
my usual companion-a double ex-
press rifle weighing about ten pounds |
and sighted to the breadth Of q hair.
THE BIRDS WARNING NOTES.
The air was cool, but the half-Iipht
seemed to have the property to rem
der it oppressive. was getting very
tired, when the peculiar harsh chirp
struck my ear that is given by the
illustTious little bird which does for
the rhinoceros the duty that is some
times performed by the fine comb OF
civilization. | half turned, instinct
lively expecting to see or hear the
presence OF the monarch which the
bird attended.
1t was not single chirp, however,
but dozen continuous ones, that
seemed TO start away off on my left
hand, and pass over to my right. ]
knew, therefore that it was u signal.
passing from one native to another,
and | turned to the one nearest to