Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-21
PLUCKY MONGOOSE.
HOW IT vANoUiSHES THE MOST
 DEADLY OF SERPENTS.

Description of n Battle Between the Little
 Fighter and a Cobra Courage and Skill
 That Are Unsurpasscd-The Most uor-
 rible Of Scenes.
 One of the most interesting and curious
 animals known to India is the mon-
 goose. Mongooses belong to the weasel
 tribe and are the size of half grown cats
 They are dark brown in color and have
 long and rather bushy tails. To sec them
 in the jungles playing with their half dog
 en young Is one of tho most interesting
 and entertaining pleasures of jungle life.
 In their wild state they are exceedingly
 timid and scampcr of to their hidden re-
 treat at a moments warning. When talk
 en young they are easily temed and make agreeable pets
 The peculiar trait of this little animal
 is its great antipathy to the whole serpent tribe Tho greatest of interest Is always manifested when 1t is known thata battle is to take place between mongoose and Ct bra. Often Europoaaa secure a large cobra. and placing it in an unoccupied room foed it for several days until 1t is strong and lively, then introduce its nat ural enemy and watch the terrific conflict.
 The mongoose also is not neglected, for it must be in as good condition as possible so as to meet it's adversary with equal ad- vantage. Both being in excellent oondi- tion. the battle is announced and never fails in bringing large crowd of interest ed witnesses
 The mongoose is introduced into tho room, and immediately tho most furious and absorbingly interesting conflict ever seen commences. It is usually deadly combat and unless interfered with is d. ways so The serpent seems to know it's enemy At once its head is erected and hood expanded. Dancing and swaying from side to side, it advances slowly, carefully to give battle. Tho hissing and smothered growing and the glittering eyes and flashing, fiery tongue of the mad dened reptile Is a scene of awful maligni- ty. The mongoose is in no way daunted by the furious anger manifested by its ter rible antagonist and stealthily but eau tiously advances. Watch the beautiful little fellow All our sympathy is with our friend See him circle round, seeking an advantage But he is met at every turn by the subtle enemy. If the serpent strikes the mongoose while it is on the ground, which sometimes happens, and has Q chance to turn its head, the deadly pOiSOu ID lDJoCtSQ itS ldnBS, anu the battle Is over, for now the mongoose hurriedly seeks an avenue for escape and will hasten into tho jungle where some believe it finds an antidote for the poison unknown to humanity.
 But the mongoose rarely allows such an e accident to happen It is usually quicker than the striking serpent and often catches the head of its adversary in midair The wonderful agility of this animal is mar vicious If it gets a good hold of the ser pent's jaw, then thero is a tremendous tussle, and for time cobra and mongoose are indistinguishablo as they roll, founder and struggle. They break away. The mongoose retreats, gets his wind, while the serpent seems loath to continue. It dare not follow any seeming advantage for the mongoose never loses courage as long as it escapes tho twisted head of the serpent and the serpent's head must twist before the death dealing power is effeotual
 They go in for another round Tho mongoose makes tho advance. Again it goes through a similar movement and bounds at the head of the serpent. The serpent strikes, and the mongoose lands opposite. AS quick as a flash again it jumps for tho serpent's head, inflicts a slight wound and lands just beyond the lightninglike strko of tho serpent and as quickly turns to the charge, seizing the ser pent close to the head on the neck Tho serpent for the moment is pinned to the ground. It lashes its tail and turns its head in every direction, endeavoring to shake off the plucky mongoose The strug- gle is desperate and successful, for sud denly the mongoose is away out of reach of it's dreadful fangs. Painting and almost lr-., Lt~-, f@x. Vs,..l side of the room, while the serpent, bleed ing and almost exhausted coils itself in the center.
 We wonder if the mongoose is wounded as with its tongue it laps tho blood off it's body and curiously examines itself with its nose. But see, it is all alert; watch it's beautiful, twinkling eyes. It still has all the marks of cunning misohievousness pc culiar to its species Again it is ready for the fray and seeks its enemy. The serpent, with watchful eyes, would escape if it were possible. But no such chance is giv- en Up goes the bleeding head, sore, wild, and angry. It freely bleeds from mouth and neck. but 1t is full of active, venom ous life Oh, that terrible bloody headi The most horrible of all earthly scenes. Never shall forget 1t It used to disturb my dreams, and for days was in my walk ing thoughts
 The nongoose now engages our sympa- thetic attention. Will it even yet come off victorious? It leaps. misses by duck, leaps again and lands this side. Again rush. they have closed The tumult is wild. with blood, serpent and mongoose. We watch with suppressed emotion. The mongoose has its favorite hold In the struggle. quicker than human eye could follow somehow it has caught the serpent by the jaw and holds it close to the ground But the serpent has wrapped it's folds two and three times around the body of the mongoose and is endeavoring to squeeze by contraction it's precious little life away.
 We are almost compelled to rush to it's rescue and remark, "It.is all up with the " One of the bystanders replies,