Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-13

One of the most interesting and curious
animals known to India is the mon
lose, 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. 10 see them
in the junglss playing with their half doz-
en- Young is one of the most interesting
and entertaining pleasures of jungle life.
In their wild state they are exceedingly
timid and scamper off to their hidden re-
treat at moments warning. When tax
en- young they are easily tanned and make
agreeable pets.
The peculiar trait of this little animal
is it's great antipathy to the whole serpent
tribe. The greatest of interest is always
manifested when it is known that battle
is to take place between a mongoose anG
a COBRA Often Europeans secure large
cobra, and placing it in an unoccupled
room feed it for several days until it 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 its adversary with equal adj
vantage. Both being in excellent condl-
ton, the battle is announced and never
fails in bringing large crowd of interest
ed witnesses.
The mongoose is introduced into the
room, and Immediately the most furious
and Accordingly interesting conflict ever
seen commences 1t is usually deadly
combat and unless interfered with is al
ways So The serpent seems to know its
enemy. At once it's head is erected and
hood expanded. Dancing and swaying
from side to side, it advances slowly,
carefully, to give battle. The kissing and
smothered growing and the glittering
eyes and flashing, fiery tongue of the mad
dened reptile is scene of awful mallgnl-
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 chance to turn its head, the deadly
poison is injected through its fangs, and
the battle is over, for now the mongooso
hurriedly seeks an avenue for escape and
believe it finds an antidote for the poison
unknown to humanity.
But the mongoose rarely allows such an
accident to happen. 1t 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 good hold of the SER
pents jaw, then there is a tremendous
L. g.
are indistinguishable as they roll founder
and struggle. They break away The
mongoose retreats, gets his wind, while
the serpent seems loath to continue. 1t
dare not follow any seeming advantage,
for the mongoose never loses courage as
long as it escapes the twisted head of the
serpent, and the serpent's head must twist
before the death dealing power is effectual.
They go in for another round. The
mongoose makes the 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 flash again il
jumps for the serpent's head, inflicts a
slight wound and lands just beyond the
lightninglike strike of the serpent and as
quickly turns to the charge, Selling the SER
pent close to the head on the neck The
serpent for the moment is pinned to the
ground. 1t lashes it's tail and turns its
head in every direction, endeavorng to
shake off the p!ucky mongoose. The strug-
gle is desperate and successful, for sud
denly the mongoose is away out of reach
of its dreadful fangs. Painting and almost
breathless. it rests for more wind on one
side of the room, while the serpent, bleed
ing and almost exhausted, coils itself in
the center.
wonder if the mongoose is wounded
as with its tongue it laps the blood off its
body and curiously examines itself with
its nose. But see, it is all alert; watch its
beautiful, twinkling eyes. 1t still has all
the marks of cunning mischievousness pc
culiar to its species. Again it is ready for
Ne fray and seeks its enemy. The serpent,
With watchful eyes, would escape if it
were possible But no such chance is Civ
en-. Up goes the bleeding head sore, wild,
and angry. 1t freely bleeds from mouth
and neck, but it is full of active, venom
GUS life. Oh that terrible bloody headl
The most horrible of all earthly scenes
Never shall forget it. 1t used to disturb
my dreams, and for days was in my wax
ing thoughts.
The mongoose now engages our sympa-
thetic attention. Will it even yet come off
victorious? 1t 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
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 its folds two
and three times around the body of the
mongoose and is endeavoring to squeeze
by contraction its precious little life away
We are almost compelled to rush to its
rescue and remark, lit is all up with tho
mongoose." One of the bystanders replies,
" Be patient; the mongoose is all right"
But look, and you can almost hear its bones
crack as the serpent contracts its black
coils and struggles to crush The mon
goose is lifted clear from the ground, hind |
legs extended, and its body is almost COW
cred with blood But watch its head; see
its jaws move as it crunches the head of |
the serpent. They lie together thus some
when it is perceived that the SER |
papt 10 clouly rela tie coiIc U,bo ,,,ox,