The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-08-22
NAHANv~~H~~~~
N THE COILS OF A
I B0A-CONSTRICTOR.
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BY o. p. KINGSLEY.


Early in the year 1900 l was sta
aoned In the south Of Negroes Island,
IN the Philippine group, at the little
pueblo" (village) Of Bayanan. Here
| acted in the capacity of sanitary in
spector of the La Carlota Sub-Dis-
Tict OF Negroes. The territory in
GUIDED In my district was many miles
IN extent. but owing to the fact that
Inc greater portion was wild, and
inhabited only by rowing tribes of
Visayans, whose haunts lay far in
me unexplored interior, my work was
confined to the small settlements To-
.ated within radius of forty miles.
many or these being extremely diff
suit OF access on account of the dense
tropical growth and the unsettled
condition of the country.
AS l sat in my Office one pleasant
morning. contentedly smoking a ci-
garland contemplating with pleasure
short trip l had planned for the
afternoon, sharp. rap on the door
brought me back abruptly from my
severie. At my invitation a native
entered. bearing letter, which he
deposited upon the desk and with
arew. A glance at the address
showed me that it was from the Chief
inspector of the Department. The
contents, which, rapidly glanced
over, directed me to proceed Without
ielay to little "barria" called La
Paz, situated some thirty miles in
and, to investigate. reported cpl
aemic OF smallpox raging In that vi
anity among the natives.
Realizing the gravity OF the situa-
ion, should the report be true, de-
aded to start at once. I had never
1isited the place before, and was not
lure Of the exact distance or the diff
ncuitles liable to be met with en-
route; for these reasons was de-
'irous OF having plenty of daylight to
Tavel by. Hastily collecting the
necessary equipment, together with
ny revolvers and ammunition. 7
srammed the things into my saddle
bags and stepped out just as the
horses were brought@up-one for my
self. the other for my old servant
Juan. who was to act as guide and
Interpreter.
Our route for several miles Law
liong well-beaten trail, which would
nave been pleasant enough for ordi-
nary travel had it not been for the
fierce heat of the sun. Soon, how
ever, We reached the Rio del Sangre,
the bamboos along the banks of
which afforded a delicious shade,
though the river-bed was practically
dry. My guide now informed me that
by following the channel we could
shorten the distance by several miles,
and | therefore turned my horse up
stream, glad enough to keep in the
shade. a
AS we advanced toward the inte-
Mor the scenery became more wild
IND picturesque, the vegetation rank
ind luxuriant, the trees meeting in
hany places and forming series of
Rafy tunnels. The only sound was
PIE dull thud, thud, of our horses
boots, hardly audible in the soft riv-
9r-bed, with an occasional shrill cry
from monkey who had discovered
as from his leafy bower, or the lazy
futter Of a gaily-plumed parrot as it
changed its position.
Advancing in single file, owing to
the narrowness of the river-bed and
the many distractions that were
constantly being met with in the form
Of roots and fallen tree-trunks, was
soon some distance ahead, and, en-
tering space comparatively clear of
Instructions. spurred my mount In
20 a gallop. as the sun was rapidly
sinking towards the horizon and I
was anxious to reach my destination
before dark. Rounding a sharp bend,
my horse, with a wild snort, plunged
heavily. wheeling sharply to the
right. Being unprepared for such a
manaeuvre, I was hurled headlong
from the saddle, striking upon my
head and shoulder in the soft, mud
dy river-bed. MY face was smeared
with the filthy, ill-smelling muck, my
neck felt as though it was broken.
my brain was in dizzy whirl, and
my eyes were blinded with the odor-
Gus mud.
For q moment did not attempt to
move. Although was aware of a
curious movement beneath me. sup
posed~I had been thrown upon some
roots. which were slowly giving way
beneath my weight.
Suddenly my attention was at
tracted by strange Kissing noise
which sounded quite close to me, and
which. in my dazed condition, was
at loss to account for Meanwhile,
the movement beneath me increased
rather than diminished. This was
certainly unnatural, and rolled over
with the intention of reaching 1rmer
ground, but found that my right leg
was entanglsd In something. at ny