New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-21
FIGHTS A HUGE PYTHON
THE SNAKE ESCAPES ON BOARD SHIP
EXTREMELY HARD TO KILL.

The legend that snakes tail does not die until
shutdown is one Of the first things that youngster
is told about reptiles. Captain Golding of the
steamer Afridi, which arrived here yesterday rom
Asiatic ports. almost ready believe that their
tails never die any other part Of their bodies
Had he mad time to discuss the matter yesterday
he would probably have asserted that they were
possessed OF many lives a cat He had an
experience on his voyage which convinced him or
this
Captain Golding collects specimens Of Asiatc
animals when abroad and brings them here for the
NewYork Geological Society. He makes about
three round trips a year and usually brings III
specimens of than ordinary value. on TINS
trip he undertook 10 bring over twenty-tour foot
python. For good and sufficient reasons he dld not
land the pyth On yesterday.
The python a heavy and exceptionally
vicious. 1t required to take 1t aboard at
Singapore and put it in its cage on board ship AT
last the monster snake secured IN It's
box. and the order was given to start The weather
superb when the steamer slipped out of the
harbor ar Singapore and the voyage up the coast
Of the Malay Peninsula begun. About 10 CLOCK
the first night out the silence broken by
crash. The animals began utter cries of alarm
and the deck, in instant in hubbUo 1t
evident that something wrong. Captain
Golding quickly ran on deck He was just IN time
to the python, which had broken loose from It's
box. coiling its way up the starboard companion
ladder to the bridge, where the officer on Watch
was navigating the ship, In another instant there
yell from the bridge, and the figure If the
officer came flying down the port companion way
to the deck. It did not take long for the crew 10
discover the state of affairs and to tumble be-
low. The Chinese cook who was passing along the
deck with a tray of rice, dropped the tray, and,
sprntng into the galley, locked the door Captain
Goldng tried to get the blight of line around the
snake but the python was alert and ready 10
throw his coils around him if he came within
reach.
The mate was the only man who had nerve
enough to stay on deck" said Captain Goldlns
yesterday. He would not take any chances at
close quarters. but he got a big bulls eye lantern
and threw a bright light the. scene. | armed
myself with a broadaXe, and after a half hout
n f5 b tor a2 S sPtck the snake in the
middle and cut clean through him Then | had
halves wriggled around the bridge, and it took
e anot 6ece nan d dd not succeed in killing him
until finally got in a good blow about tire. three
When it was all over there were twelve sections
The loss Of the python a valuable specimen. was
not the only loss that marked the voyage When
less than week out fine speclment OF the ourahs-
This was the finest specimen ever saw, says
CAPTAIN Coldlng He full grown, and was
feet inches tall. He had a beard inches long
than the one which died on my hands on the last
voyage This one simply greVed itself 70
death AS nearly as we could Judge he was thirty
wears old and II he had lived to get to NewYork
the zoo could boast of having the finest specimen
Among the animals on the Afridi bear.
dizaTd5 Java peacock. three crowned pigeons.
an anoa, tapir a slow loris and score or more
The leopard Captain Goldng styled Manchurian
leopard. IT'S as tame as a kitten, ne said yes
terday, opening the door OF one OF the cages ana
was ' f With baTs u and 10 fonddd and pet,ed the
animal which purred with pleasure and Playfully
took his hand in its mouth, pretending 20 bite him.
much as a halfGrown puppy viii play with It's
The leopard which Mr. Hornaday. the director
of the sociological Park said was splendid speci-
Gardens