The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1892-01-02

When the narrator. now steambol
captain, was about IS years old I
WA supercargo on board bri
which made annual voyages ini
the East Indian waters after sanda
wood. The vessel was lying i'm a ba
on the coast OF an island 10 the mort
OF Timor; and the logs or sections q
the precious wood, were drawn dow
TO the beach from the table-land two a
three miles in the interior by a Dutc
proprietor, who had in his service ST,
natives and as many bulloclxs.
These animals were driven tandem
In single file---on account OF the narrow
ness of the trail. which led for som,
distance across marsh among hug,
trees, and then assembled through roclsl
and crags TO the dryer plateau wher,
the santalum grows. The logs wer,
transported on narrow boat-shapee
drag" without wheels or rollers.
The young supercargo, who was fonc
OF hunting and adventure, often nc,
companied this odd team in its trips
from the shore to the plateau. II
On the way mp he often rode amor
the drag with the old Dutchmon WI,
was stout and disinclined toyoedestriar
exercise.
Upon one OF these fS,ocasions when
the team had passed. nearly through
the swampy forest tract and was near
the foot OF the,craggy ascent, the super
cargo was amazed and startled by q
singular Sight.
In pne obscurity ~ the dense foliage
aDTve his head he saw something which
Ee could compare TO nothing save n
huge, animated BARRIERS pole, drop
like a flash from the branches OF the
great tree which overhung the path
and enfold the OK next in front of the
rude vehicle in which he and Mynheer
Huydecoper were sitting.
IL was python OF large size, SUI
perbly marked.
From large limb, ten or fifteen feet
above the OK, the snake had dropped
or swung down, and had thrown n
fold Of It's supple body about the neck
OF the poor animal, swift as "a tigers
spring.
The natives took 20 their heels. The
OK thus fearfully beset, bel o we'd with
alright and, plunging headlong. jerlxed
the drag SO violently that the fat Ger
man was sen, rolling over its side
Meantime the alarm was communi-
Gated 20 the bullocks in advance.
Erecting their tails, they bounded for
nrI a. Al Il
catching against Il tree-trunlS or some
other obstruction, was detached and
eft behind the cattle in their mad
fight
For some distance they dragged their
helpless mate after them. The python
had kept It's fold around the ox's neck,
and was carried along with them
The screaming Of the natives. the bel
lowing of the oxen, the hoarse shouts
OF the feshy Dutchman, and the snap
ping Of tackle made the spectacle an
exciting one.
The reptile, Infatuated by the rough
usage II was receiving, dashed right and
left with the ten or twclpnf now :
body that tralcd afler M that noI =. :
rerao,,<-'' or Buster l,ne OK.
Snies feani6iged an example Of its
90 p'9ssedous strength. It's tail came in
contact with tree beside the path. IL
threw a turn around the trunk, and in
stantly the fleeing bullocks were
brought to stand. In vain they leaped
and surged irrcgularly forward.
Like a stiff iron hook, the tail OF the
python held its turn around the tree,
while its shining body was stretched
taut as ships cable. It's fold around
the ox's neck frightened till the cholSed
animals tongue protruded and its eyes
bulged: still IL held fast both To OK and
tree. nor could the terrified and plung-
ing team tear IL away.
The Young supcrcargo, dashing FOR
ward. discharged his fowling-picce,
loaded with shot. at the reptiles body,
without producing any percep'ible CT
feet. but Mynhcer liuydecoper, who