The Minneapolis journal., 1901-06-24
BATTLES OF MoNGooSE AND COBRA
How Little sik-i-tik'' Battles With Deadly Rep
tile and Nearly Always Kills
Captain P. c. aabbett in World Wide Maga-

Captain F. c. Gabbett in World Wide Maga-
zine.
Most OF US who are exiles in India are
familiar with the mongoose-"R as
hipAng has so aptly named him. Some OF
US nave owned Rik-i-Tik as pet; some Of
US are familiar with him as part Of the stock
IN trade or the travelling snake-charmer or
Juggler; and those of us whose work lies in
the district have watched him at play or on
hunting excursions OF his own in the free
dom Of the Jungle
YET, widely known as he is in India, it is
astonishing how few could accurately de-
scflpe the way in which little Rik-i-Tik can
lacKIe ana kill four foot cobra, or how he
escapes the penalty of his seeming rashness.
Let me attempt to describe what l have often
ssen Win my own eyes, and even photo
sraphed. though, of course, snap shots of
the most exciting phases of the combat are
practically impossible
In the first place, it is mistake to sup
pose that the mongoose and sthe cobra will
attack each other whenever or wherever they
meet, prompted purely by love of fighting
OF deadly racial animosity On the con-
trary, If the two are shut up in small
room, the mongoose will display the utmost
lnolnerence to the presence of the cobra,
."nlIe the latter, though compelled to pre-
serve Watchful and threatening aspect in
the presence of his active little foe will take
the nrst opportunity Of wriggling a safe re-
/ treat when he sees Rik-i-Tiks attention 9TH
| erwise engaged
II IS clear that the mongoose, while conf
| oent ana Indifferent is well aware of the
awful risk he is running. and has no inten-
tlon OF losing his life 1t may be otherwise
win tame mongoose, who is not distracted
| oy the novelty Of his surroundings or the
| presence OF human foes, and who does moi
Iee4 MS activity cramped by the four walls
| Of room.
nave been told that tame mongoose will
attack a cobra without any proyocation, and
II may De SO; but 1t Is certainly not the case
WIN freshly captured mongoose The c.
DFa eVluehtly stands in far greater dread OF
tue hongoose, and displays none of that in
| sulting confidence and Indifference which
cnaracterizes the behavior Of Rik-i-Tfk.
me cobra is a pretty sight to watch as he
mus ms expanded hood, displaying its fan
'astic heralory, ever turning to face the enc
NY anu loudly exhaling warning and de-
\ nance with every swelling breath.
anu now let US proceed to the yeranda
winch we have selected as the arena of the
coming contest. The snake -charmer whom
we nave engaged to handle the cobra opens
one OF the llttle round baskets and turns out
| It's occupant with scant ceremony Al FIRST
/
caught by the tail and stroked the wrono
way until he is induced to sit IN and glare
/ round, swelling himself angriIy with every
| breath
| RlK-1-I1k now makes his appearance in the
ring, tied round the waist with a string and
cautiously held at a distance by bare-legeed
syce, who has to be pretty smart in eludinp
the rapid rushes that Rik-i-Tik makes now
ana again at his unprotected calves. What
nerce little champion it is to be surei His
snarl1ng Volleys of unreasoning rage are
directed at everything near: his little red ewes
are alight with wickedness and every hair
| on his body and bushy tail stands on end
AL nrst he takes no apparent notice Of tbs
! COBRA, but the cobra is fully aware of his
arrival and does his best to keep his face
toward his new enemy. Hither and thither
rusnes Rtk-i-Tik as far as the end of his
tether allows, when he is brought I'D sudden
and snarling. Now he pauses on the edge OIL
the empty snake basket to gaze contempIa-
lively at his towering adversary Again be
checks himself for moment to give play
full nip en- passant to the enemy's tail or tc
whisper derisive challenge or an insulting
remark into the .cobra's ear derogatory to his
parentage and his female relatives-for there
is no doubt that Rik-i-Tik is ap asst master
in the art of abuse. Now he pauses directly
| under the hooded terror and looks from side
| to side, seemingly indifferent-Ha! Missed.
| The cobras head strikes the ground with
a thud, and Rik-i-Tik, having eluded the
stroke by a quick little pump, enters or
another of his mad rushes for freedom in
| the direction OF the syce's calves. Again the