The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-11
PLUCKY MONGOOSE.
HOW IT vANQulSHES THE MOST
DEADLY OF SERPENTS
i. Inscription of Battle Between the Little
Fighter and Cobra Courage and skill
That Are tnsurpassed--T Most Hor-
riblo OF Scenes.


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 see them
iiy the jungles playing wEh their half doz-
en- young is one of tho most interesting
and entertaining pleasures of jungle lito.
In their wild state thoy are exceedingly
timid and scamper of to their hidden re-
treat at a moments warning. When TAX
en- young they arc easily tanned and make
agreeable pets.
The peculiar trait Of this little animal
Is Its great antipathy TO the whole serpent
tribe. The greatest Of interest Is always
manifested whom it Is known that battle
Is TO take place between mongoose and
a cobra Often Europeans secure large
cobra. and placing 1t IN an unoccupied
room feed IL 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
IL must be in as good condition as possible
30 as to meet its adversary with equal ad-
vantage Both being In excellent condi-
ton, the battle is announced and never
fails in bringing large crowd OF interest
cd witnesses.
The mongoose Is introduced into the
room. and Immediately the most furious
and absorbingly interesting conflict ever
seen commences. 1t Is usually a deadly
combat and unless interfered with Is al
ways So The serpent seems to know It's
enemy. At once It's head Is erected and
hood expanded. Dancing and swaying
from side TO side IL 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 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 follow. 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. II the serpent
strikes the mongoose while 10 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 tho mongoose
hurriedly seeks an avenue for escape and
will hasten into the jungle, where some
believe 10 finds an antidote for the poison
unknown 10 humanity.
But the mongoose rarely allows such an
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
vslous II IL gets good hold of the SER
pent's jaw, then there Is tremendous
tussle, and for time cobra and mongoose
arc indistinguishable as they roll, founder
and struggle. They break away. Tho
mongoose retreats, gets his wind, while
the serpent seams loath to continue. IL
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 serpcnt's head must twist
before the death dealing power is effectual
They go in for another round The
mongoose makes the advance. Again 1t
goes through a similar movement and
bounds at the head Of the serpent. The
serpent strikes, and the mongoose lands
opposite. AS quick as fash again 1t
jumps for the serpent's head, infiots q
slight wound and lands just beyond the
lightninglike strike Of the serpent and as
quickly turns to the charge, seizing the SER
pent close to the head on the neck. The
serpent for the moment Is pinned to the
ground. 1t 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 its dreadful fangs Painting and almost
breathless. IL rests for moro wind on one
side of the room, while the serpent, bleed
ing and almost exhausted, coils itself in
the center.
wewonder IL the mongoose is wounded
ms with its tongue 1t laps the blood of its
body and curiously examines itself with
its nose But see, it is all alert; watch its
beautiful, twinkling eyes. 1t still has all
b. of ct,r nj \, 20 N, AZ h pa
culiar to its species Again 1t is ready for
the fray and seeks its enemy The serpent,
with watchful eyes, would escape IL 1t
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 IL Is full of active, venom
Gus life oh, that terrible bloody head
The most horrible of all earthly scenes.
Never shall forget It. IL used TO disturb
my dreams, and for days was in my wax
ing thoughts.
The mongoose now engages our sympa-
thetic attention. VIII 1t even yet come of
victoriousi IL leaps. misses by duck,
leaps again and lands this side. Again a
rush; they have closed The tumult Is
wild. with blood, serpent and mongoose.
We watch with suppressed emotion. The
mongoose has It's favorite hold. In the
struggle quicker than human eye could
follow, somehow IL has caught the serpent
by the jaw and holds IL close to tho 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, 1T Is all up with the
mongoose. One Of the bystanders replies,
ffap IA nj iuh
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
sred with blood But watch It's head; SEQ
its Jaws move as IL crunohes the head of
the serpent They lie together thus some
minutes, when it is perceived that the SER
pent is slowly relaxing its coils. The mon
goose quickly takes better hold. A few
more orunches and the victory Is gained