Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-02-07

habits, temperaments and intelligence.
They were all caught by my own
hands. Out in the country, on the veldt
and in the bush, had watched them
as much as possible in their native
state, and now supplemented this study
by keeping them afterward under my
eyes at home This work l had car
ried on since September, 1875, SO that
had acquired pretty extensive
knowledge of the snakes of southern
Africa
All the venomous kinds were already
In my collection, and Of the harmless
snakes l had over 80 different species.
There was. however. much desired
bne still wanting to me, one of the larg-
est, most interesting, most graceful and
beautifully colored of all the snakes of
the African woodland-the famous
tree-snake, Bucephalus capensis, the
"boomslange" or tree-snake Of the
Dutch settlers. Miles Of bush hunted
through, but could never find boom
slange.
One day had strained my foot, and
1t panied me so much that l declared
at the breakfast table that until it was
better l did not propose to do any
walking, but would give my foot rest.
Before we rose from the table,
Kaffir boy came to the door with a
letter from Tidmarsh, the director of
the Grahamstown Botanical gardens,
which said: Come down here as
quickly as you can. l have a large
boomslange in the oak trees over the
avenue"
Up jumped from the table, seized
my hat and stick, and away l ran on
the strained foot. Now it didn't pain
me- How could think OF pain, while
the much-desired boomslange was
waiting for me?
At the other side of the town lay the
Botanical gardens, but the distance
didn't matter; in a few minutes | was
there. Painting, l rushed in at the
gate; voices rang out; a dozen men
called me. They were gazing upwards
into the trees. evidently watching the
snake. They stood in the riddle of
the avenue, each side of which was
bordered by line Of leafy oaks so
branching as almost to meet over the
roadway.
When I got to where the Kaffirs
were gazing upward. they pointed out
to me the snake aloft in the tree-tops.
l looked sharply, but no snake could
see. He's big one," said they. Hes
six feet long" But size didn't ma ke
him easy to discern among the leaves.
Strain my eyes as l might, l couldn't
get glimpse of him.
One of the men threw up stone and
then he moved, and as he moved saw
him. And as l saw him, | ran eagerly
to tree and began to climb. Keep
your eyes on him now. every man of
you." / shouted. Il can't watch him
and climb at the same time"
To take ones eyes from him for
moment would be to lose him, so
closely did his colUrs harmonize with
the greenish leaves and purplish gray
branches and twigs among which he
lay.
Shining up the tree, l was soon
among the limbs. and began to make
was watching the group of upturned
Kaffir faces beneath. AS | was now
among the foliage. | could not see
him, and had to let the Kaffirs from
below direct my progress through the
leaf-clad branches. 1t was difficult
work, for the long snake-stick which
took with me hampered me by running
foul of the branches."
"Upward-now over your left
shoulder" shouted the Kaffirs; and
accordingly upward over the left
shoulder | climbed.i Soon | was near
the snake. | could see him coiled part
ly. and partly stretched out, at the tip
OF branch. His tail was well lashed
around II, his body half hidden by the
leaves. while his long slender neck
and bulldog head were thrust out a
foot and a half in my direction.
Evidently | was not taking him at
all unawares. for his eyes. exceedingly
large and bright. were intently watch
ing my efforts To reach him, and his
inquiring tongue every moment shot
forth its trembling. double-pointed
Ups HhtHhslHb Hi'f 40 tHcNbhtt tbi
intrudlng in his leafy dominions.
Otherwise he was as motionless as the
branch ON which he lay.
climbed toward him until my face
came within six feet OF him. but still
he never stirred. except for that quiv-
ering. double-pointed tongue. which
now almost continually yibrated It's
fine thread-like extremities In the air,
The warm sun was shining fun upon
him. and his great bright eyes seemed
% glitter with malice. but stili he re-
manned motionless. and yet. | believe.
he was fully as anxious and as nervous
as was.
Here | was face to face with him In
the tree-top. What to do. knew not.
Was he yenomonss Were they true
those tales | had heard Of his yirulent
poison. those stories of lingering