The record-union., 1895-04-15
KILLING A COBRA.
A Monkeys Dangerous Play In an
Indian Jungle.

A Monkeys Dangerous Play In an
Indian Jungle.
The wilds of jungle life are full of in
teresting experiences and afford the curl
Gus traveller many strange and peculiar
incidents. The only weapons of animal
defense and protection are sagaclty and
instinct.
The bright, sunny plains of India as
well as the low mountain ranges, afford
suitable climatic conditions for the haunts
OF numerous hordes OF monkeys Of many
different varieties. They need re train
ing to manifest the mischievous cunning
peculiar to their species. L have often
watched them for hours, and laughed
many times at their playful pranks as
they gamboled together on the ground
and among the trees. says j. K. JanneY,
in the Cleveland Leader.
One day was much disturbed by the
unusual chatteriug of a troop of these
animals short distance from my bunga-
low. l proceeded to the scene of their
uproar, when they fled in wild disorder,
with the young clinging to the females by
the neck. l looked around to find, if
possible, the cause of their trouble. In a
small tree | soon found a good-sized male
specimen left behind, gazing intentiy to-
wards the roots Of the tree. Following
the direction OF his eyes, I was astonished
to see large cobra, coiled and apparently
asleep. Here was the cause of their an
noyance. This monkey seemed more
daring than his fellows, and did not ap-
pear the least disturbed at my presence
My first impulse was to dispatch the
serpent with a stout cane. On second
thought l concluded to watch the monkey
and see what it would do. l never wit
messed anything more Interesting than
the actions OF that beast.
He slowly left his perch in the forks of
the tree, and quietly, with great caution.
moved downward toward the serpent un-
til he had approached within about tWo
feet of the reptile. He looked like a SOL
emn old man, cautiously moving his head
from side TO side, as if closely inspecting
the object before him. Then he took a
firmer hold of the tree with one arm, and
wrapped his tail closely around the trunk
He reached forth his hand until it was
within six or eight inches OF the serpent,
and quickly withdrew it again. l was
much excited, and wondered if he knew
the dangerous character of his adversary
Was he playing unknowingly with
death? l could scarcely refrain from
rushing tosthe rescue. But l resolved TO
await the issue and watch the strange pro-
ceedings.
The hand OF the monkey again moved
| toward the venomous reptile. Is he going
to seize the creature? ? Thoughts of his
danger come and go thick and fast, as al
most rIveted 10 the ground / watch with
| deep emotion. Suddenly, with the quick
ness of lightning, the monkey grasped
/ the serpent around the neck, close to the
| head, IN such a manner as to render it
impossible to inflict its deadly bite, while
| its body encircled his arm.
The astonishing scene is indescribable.
! There were loud hissings, mingled with
chatterings and almost screenings, as
the monkey danced and leaped in frenzed
delight. With many odd grimaces and
queer wrinkling ofthe brow, the monkey
seemed almost frantic. He would stop
! his wild contortions and seriously ex-
anime the head and eyes and protruding
! tongue, again grin and dance about. But
stranger movements soon followed.
After short time of this display of
glee, he apparently became tired, and,
stopping down on three legs, he COM
menced to rub the head of the serpent on
the nard ground. He would rub awhile.
then, with much seriousness, examine
the head; then rub it again. Blood be-
gan to drop over his hand This rubbing
and examining he repeated again and
again, until he had completely rubbed of
the head OF the cobra. Then, with much
chatterlng and apparent glee, he dropped
| the writing body TO the ground and
scampered OF to join his companions in
a neghboring grove.