The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-07-27

VI IN IA lNtlfrEl IA h ! sal d
a Nn EW Karl, 81 can tell
things about those snakes That huge
boa constructor" he continued. point
ing to u snake that lay coilcd up in a
corner 10y itself. "hns swallowed four
whole sheep in one day, and nine days
nfterward it was ready for number Ave.
] can remember once we threw rab-
bit into II cage where there were two
snakes. While the poor little animal
was shivering in corner with fright
the two reptiles fought together rs TO
which of them should eGt it the
smaller one gained the victory. and
the bigger one retired to the other end
of the cage aud lay down, as though
wearied out by the conflict. The other
snake advanced upon its prey, and nf-
ter while il also lay down, with the
rabbit inside it. The bigger snake
then, seeing the helpless condition of
its enemy, seemed To rouse itself and
moment afterwards it vigorously at-
tackled the creature that lay gorged in
the corner. We all rushed to see whGt
would happen, and, | declare to YOU. -
continued Mr.. Hagenheck, "that in n
very short time the big snake had
swallowed the small snake, rabbit and
nll
Would You like to see them in
action?' said Mr.. Hagenbeck to me. and
rs he spoke he opened the cage door
and boldly stepped in among the huge
sleepy beasts. He then began lifting
them up by their enormous coils, Just
as one would lift up great coils of rope,
and there was soon mighty stirring
amongst the inert masses. Furious and
-. sney TrfShed to and fro, their
scales glittering in the light of the
sun. With tremendous kissing and
irritated rearing back of their heads
and constant projection of their long,
forked tongues, they began to move
about the cage. Il think / will get
ont now" said Mr. Hagenbeck. II
had "A fight once before with snakes,
and | don't want to have another" he
continued as he closed the doors.
II wish you would tell me about il, -
said / at must have been very
dreadfully interesting - and also | felt
sure my American readers would enjoy
some good snake" stories.
Certainly will, he replied, "and
can assure YOU" he added, with Il
shudder at tie thought, "that it wa,
most painfully interesting to me. |
very nearly lost my life on that occa,
sion. 1t happened in this way. There
were eight full grown pythons in one
cage. | wanted 10 put them all into
one huge box to send them off TO II
menagerie. | handled the first six nlI
right enough, collaring them, as !,
usual. by the back Of the neck and
| dropping them into the box. Then
went for number seven. As soon rs |
entered the cage She flew at me with
open mouth, but seeing her coming /
took off my hat and thrust it at her.
and she bit her teeth into it. / then
collared her with the right hand AT the
back of the neck and dragged her
down into the lower partition of the
| cage. However, when | was going 10
| fetch her out she reared her head for
another attack. / then made - cautious
movement forward Mt the same mo-
ment she darted her head nj me. !
met the second attack with my hat in
the same way as | did the first. !
then got hold of her by the back of the
neck, but | found. to my horror that
| couldn't let her go, rs all at once she
colled herself around my legs.
by good fortune one of my assist
| ants was standing near. | called for
him and he came rushing up to me,
! knowing by the sound of my voice that
there was something very dreadful the
matter, and SO indeed there was, for /
saw il wac going 10 be fight for life
or death. However, | kept perfectly
/ cool and gave the order TO my assist
ant To Is and uncoil the serpent, which
he attempted to do as well as he pos.
sibly could. / also managed to with
draw my legs from her coils Then
| dropped, holding her tight all the
/ time. as | was determined 10 get her
into the box, and didn't want To have
/ all that trouble for nothing, continued
the brave man rs coolly MS one could
possibly imagine.
However, he went on, 81 wasn't
! out of the woods, even then, AS you
English call it, for just MS | thought !
was getting away all right and could
get her safely into the box the last
python in the cage, tremendous giant,
also tried TO attack me. As soon as /
saw this / called out to my assistant to
throw blanket over her. This he
managed TO do. At the same moment
l moved backwards out of the cage and
got free of it altogether and then had
= little rest. My men tried to dissuade