Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-01-18
A BIG SNAKE.
A BIG FOOL
AND A FIGHT
The Recklcss Assertion Of Young En-
glncer, and It's Accom-
plishmcnt,



Newark a. j. Special Globe-Democrat
A Newark engineer, who has scrycd
on the engineering corps employed in the
construction of the Nicaragua canal. and
ls at home on sort of furlOugh tells
the story Of duel with q boa constric-
tor by fellow engineer Life in the
ranal Is dreary, and various schemes are
rosorted 70 IN order 10 relieve the mo-
notony. One Of a party stated one ev-
tning that he could Kill boa single
handed The rest Of the party tried to
convince him that he was wrong, but
stuck 10 his assertion, Finally, a hand
some bot was made that he could not
dispatch q boa alone, II the deadly rep
tile was in lbs natural condition, The
young engineer promptly accepted the
terms of the wager Tho next day q
gang of natives were sent into the forest
10 find boa. They came upon well
grown specimen, fully fifteen feet long.
il had eaten heartily few days before
II was discovered, and being torpid, IL
was captured without difficulty and taken
back to camp IL was deposited in q
room. where Il was securely bound, and
then left until its sleep should he over.
Tho young engineer who was to meet
the monster Of the forest IN duel 10
fhe death probably rcpented Of his rash
bargain many times, but he never let
anyone know It, and was dead gamc,h
=
BOas often romain In torpor for three
weeks, aud II was nearly fortnight he
fore the snake showed signs of return
Ing activity. The engineers then ap.
pointed a night for the combat and the
goung man who WAS TO face the serpent
went into active training, II had been
stipulated that his only weapon was
10 be Il knife, and the young man relied
bn his clear brain, iron nerve and sup
pie wrist TO carry him through the en-
counter In safety. Whom work was over
pn the appointed day those who were IN
HE secret entered the room and pro-
feedcd to cut the ropes with which the
berpent was bound IL had been cooled
np and several bands placed about t.
These were all severed but one, aud the
snakes opponent entered, while his COM
panions beat lmsty rotrcat to safe
soignes of vantage from which to watch
the strange battle and give succor In
/ last extremity.
The young engineer was lightly clad
md carried In his right band long knife
highly ground and sharpeped. The mon
tier, half famished as il was, was in
most angry humor, and It's horrid head,
iscil.ating to and fro, with distended
Avs and yiciously shining. heady eyes,
must have made the Young mans hesh
freep. He strobe straight up to the boa,
md with lightning stroke OF his knife,
MT the remaining band that hound t..
He Jumped back the Instant the stroke
nd fal.en with the celeritv OF a tiger
nat, hui his swftness was snail like COM
pared with that of the serpent. Quitkor
han thought the boa descended upon his
iucmy. Before the man could scarcely
move the snake had fallen rpon his arm.
lad wound It's way up It's ontlre length.
md was biting az his shoulder The arm
hround which the snake had wound itself
WINS the young mans knife arm.
Luckily, the hand and wrlst were free.
He did not wait Ia transfer the knifs,
10 his free hand, but summoned ali Ills
power and cnt at the coli of the ser
bent nearest his pinioned arm. II uas