The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-07

very extensive. l got there late at night. I
had shot couple OF doe on the way, and had
thrown them across my pack animal.
On my arrival within the ruins lit fire to
get my supper, after which | spread my
blankets and lay down. In the morning when
l woke up threw my hand outside of the
blanket and it almost touched big, poisonous
rattlesnake. | escaped by the zneresI chance.
Looking toward my feet, what was my as
constituent to see rattlesnakes all over the
blankets. There were no less than six OF them,
besides the one that had so narrowly missed
my hand
The reptiles were not the crotalus horrichus
or diamond crOtaluS known IN California, but
the crotalus milarius found in the hot regions.
They are very poisonous. When 1 had lit my
fire in the evening | could not see the snakes,
which, presume, had crept along the walls.
The altitude OF Zacatecas and the old ruins is
between 1000 and 5000 feet, and it gets quite
cold at night.
My fire was what undoubtedly attracted
them. When they got out toward it they
found my bed, and, discerning the warm blan-
kets, crawled up on them and went to sleep.
have always thought it was almost miracu-
lous that escaped being bitten. AS did not
want the snakes, having already all / wanted,
killed them, and nailed them all to the adobe
wall, With my card on each.
The Lizards and other reptiles which got
there sailed away in casks and forwarded to
Europe. 1t Is a general belief among the In
dams, notably among the Creeks, Cherokees
and ChoctaWS in Indian Territory, where
was for time, that if one is bitten by rattle
eat the snake. But l never discovered any vir-
tue in this. The best remedy is 10 immedi-
ately bind tho above the wound, so that
the poison cannot circulate higher. Then cut
an incsion below the wound and squeeze out
as much blood as possible. Then, if to the
wound Is made an application of potash, or
any alkali, there is almost no danger.
got the best collection OF reptiles from Mex
leo, and forwarded them to Europe, that has
ever been seen there. The rattlesnakes were
so plentiful that they could be seen by thou
sands and thousands.
had good many rough experiences. Sew
eral times could get almost nothing to eat.
Once was refused anything to eat by the In
dams when | hadn't had anything to eat for
horses ana sometimes three. l rode one and
carried my packs on the other. ! was armed
with Smith & Wesson six-shooter, a Win
chester rifle and European shotgun. Pre-
y1ous to going to Chihuahua and Zacatecas
hac collected specimens in Texas, we'll as
lnd1an territory. Down on an island in the Rio
Grande the Indians not long since, while was
in the vicinity killed United States Marshal
Jones. They are very savage and suspicious.
| got along without trouble, though they were
at times ugly.
In regard to my experiences in Africa went
there in 1889 for the Belgian Government, and
stayed eighteen months. | landed at the port
OF Banana, in the Congo Free State, and went
700 miles up in the interior. l had number
OF guards and besides these thirty native
carriers.
There were then no railroads, nothing but a
wilderness. We proceeded TO several native
towns, some OF which had as many go, 900
Inhabitants each We reached successfully
Bona, Viva and Matadi, the latter being at the
nrst Congo falls. Thence we proceeded to
Leopoldv1lle, and on further into the interior.
The houses OF the towns are all made of banana
leaves, except where the Arabs were. Their
houses were of adobe and sometimes of stone.
Each town was governed by some form of re-
ligion.
These natives have eight hundred different
Languages and over three hundred different
religions. Stanley doesn't state that The
Mangalas, for instance, have q religion in
which three different kinds OF goats typify the
spirits influencing them. The white goat,
which is good, lives in the water. The black
goat, which is bad, lives in the mountains, and
then there is red goat, which always lives in
trees 1t Is supposed to influence women.
Inc region through which l passed with my
caVaIcade was infested with all kinds of wild
ana ravenous beasts. There were so many
leopards that one hardly dare sleep at night.
Then there was an abundance of black and
yellow lions, elephants and rhinoceros, be-
sides some tigers killed all kinds OF animals
except tiger. never got one OF them, though
l would have liked to-
In regard to my journey to Thibet, which
have undertaken for the Baron de Rothschild
OF Paris and the Institution of Sciences of Lux
emburg, expect to be gone four years. | want
TO return in time for the exposition at Paris,
abroad will study Sanskrit, as we'll explore
and collect new and strange animals and bot
anlcal specimens.
MY primary object in going to Thibet, aside
from the explorations, is to collect orchids for
the Baron de Rothschild. The Baron has at
present the best collection in the old world
snq bis wife, the Baroness, is an authority on