Evening star., 1927-10-19

The Robinsons have been shpwrecked
and are marooned on an uninhabited
ing. books, etc. from, the wreckage. set up
somewhst enviable habitstion; find means
is well versed in all the natural sciences
as well as an excellent craftsman and
sotsnS zooler9 sre smone rs most on
interesting features of the work.
II see something so strange in the
distance, father. exclaimed Fritz. as
we all sat chatting before our cave
home, recently completed. what in
the world can it be? First it seems
to be drawn in coils on the ground
like cable, then rises up like a little
mast, then that sinks, and the coils
move along again"
My wife took alarm at this descrip-
tion and. calling the other boys, re-
treated into the cave, where J. desired
them to close up the entrances ana
keep watch with firearms at the upper
windows. Fritz remained with me
while ] examined the object through
my spyglass
1T is, as feared, an enormous ser
pent'" cried 1T is coming this way.
and may be attacked only with the
greatest caution. Thank God, we have
o safe retreat"
The reptile advanced with writhing
and undulatory movements. from time
to time rearing its head to height of
Is or 90 1eet. and slowly turning it
about as though on the lookout for
prey. We joined the others upstairs.
barricading everything below. and,
our selves unseen, awaited with beat
ing hearts the further advance of the
foe. Its movements appeared TO be-
come uncertain, as though it was puz-
zled by the trace of human habita-
ton; it turned in different directions.
coiling and uncoiling. and frequently
rearing its head. but keeping about
the middle OF the space in front of
our cave. Suddenly, as though un.
able to resist doing so. one after an.
other the boys fired. The shots took
not the slightest effect beyond star
ting the monster, whose movements
We're accelerated. The monster, pass
ing on with q gliding motion. entered
reedy marsh 10 the left and entirely
disappeared.
l had recognized the serpent as the
boa constructor. so-called because il
kills its prey by pressure, or con
striction." II was vast specimen
that we had seen, being upward of
80 feet in length. Although the i'm.
mediate Danger had passeo. we were
days, fearful lest venturing abroad
might attract the monster and bring
on an attack.
We were delivered from our i'm
prisonment by none other than our
good old simple hearted donkey, named
Grizzle--and by sheer stupidity. We
had released the animals, hay and
fodder having run low, guiding them
across the river. Grzzle, fresh and
frolicsome after the long rest, broke
away and capered straight for the
marsh. In vain we called him h,
name. He went close 10 the thicket
and with cold shudders of horror we
beheld the snake rear itself from it's
lsir-poor Grizzlies fate was sealed.
Becoming aware on a sudden of his
danger, GrizZle stopped short. spread
out all four legs. and set up the most
piteous and discordant bray that ever
wrung echo from rocks. Swift and
straight as fencer's thrust, the de
stroyer was upon him. wound round
him, entangled. EMBODIED, compressed
him, all the while ctlnningIv avoiding
the convulsive kicks of the aaonjzed
enimel. A cry Of horror arose from
the spectators of this awful tragedy.
There was no use to shoot, for our
poor animal was surely lost
surely the snake won't swa low
him" said Jack.
Snakes have no grinders. but only
fsngs." said. Therefore thew mus,
swallow their food whole. The snake
is not poisonous. bur only fearfullv
strong and ferocious. IT has no need
10 tear the flesh from the bones. i
swallows skin. hair. bones. and all,
and digests everything in it's stomach.
See how it brushes the body to a pulp
To knead the ass into a sha peless
mass. The monster will so begin 10
gorge his prev. and slowly hut surely
the carcass will disappear down that
distended NAV
expected that the boa. before
swallowing his prey. would cover II
with saliva. 10 aid In the operation
although II struck me that it's very
slender forked tongue was about the
worst possible implement for such a
purpose. II was evident To us, how
ever. that this popular idea was
erroneous The act nf Iuhricating the
mass must have taken place durirg
Tire process ~ swallowing This won.
derful performance lasted from in