The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-08-22
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IN THE COILS OF A
4 B0A-C0NSTRiCT0R.
Ey o. r. KINGSLEY.
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Early in the year 1900 l was sta
toned in the south of Negros Island,
in the Philippine group, at the little
pueblo" (village) of Bayanan. Here
l acted in the capacity of sanitary in
spector of the La Carlota Sub-Dis-
trict of Negros. The territory in
cluded in my district was many miles
in extent, but owing to the fact that
the greater portion was wild, and
inhabited only by rowing tribes Of
Visayans, whose haunts lay far in
the unexplored interior, my work was
confined to the small settlements To-
Gated within a radius of forty miles,
many of these being extremely diff
cult 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-
gar and contemplating with pleasure
a short trip 1 had planned for the
afternoon, sharp rap on the door
brought me back abruptly from my
reverie. At my invitation a native
entered, bearing a letter, which he
deposited upon the desk and with
drew. A glance at the address
showed me that it was from the Chief
Inspector of the Department. The
contents, which l rapidly glanced
over, directed me to proceed without
delay to little "barria" called La
Paz, situated some thirty miles in
land, to investigate a reported epi-
1emic of smallpox raging in that vi
cinity among the natives.
Realizing the gravity of the situa-
ton, should the report be true, de-
cided to start at once. had never
visited the place before, and was not
sure of the exact distance or the Diff
fculties liable to be met with en-
route; for these reasons I was de-
sirous of having plenty Of daylight to
travel by. Hastily collecting the
necessary equipment, together with
my revolvers and ammunition, I
crammed 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 lay
along a well-beaten trail, which would
have 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 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.
AS we advanced toward the inte-
rior the scenery became more wild
and picturesque, the vegetation rank
and luxuriant, the trees meeting in
many places and forming series Of
leafy tunnels. The only sound was
the dull thud, thud, of our horses
hoofs, hardly audible in the soft riv-
er-bed, with an occasional s:lrill Cry
from a monkey who had discovered
us from his leafy bower, Or the lazy
flutter 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 obstructions that were
constantly being met with in the form
of roots and fallen tree-trunks, l was
soon some distance ahead, and, en-
tering a space comparatively clear OF
obstructions, ! spUrred my mount in
to a gallop, as the sun was rapidly
sinking towards the horizon and
was anxious to reach my destination
before dark. Rounding sharp bend
my horse, with wild snort, plunged
heavily, wheeling sharply to the
right. Being unprepared for such a
manaeuvre, l was hurled headlons
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, anc
my eyes were blinded with the odor'
Gus mud.
For a moment did not attempt tt
move. Although I was aware of {
curious movement beneath me, I sup
posed I had been thrown upon some
roots, which were slowly giving Wa.
beneath my weight.
Suddenly my attention was at
tracted by strange Kissing noist
which sounded quite close to me, ant
which, in my dazed condition, I va
at loss to account for. Meanwhile
the movement beneath ne increased
rather than diminished. This wa
certainly unnatural, and rolled owe;
with the intention of reaching frme,