The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-07-04

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along again. 1t is coming TOWARD
the bridge"
My wife took alarm at this des
cription, and calling the other
boys, retreated into the cave,
where | desired them to close VI
the entrances, and keep watch
with firearms at the upper win
dows. These were openings we
had made in the rock at some ell
ovation, reached within by steps.
and a kind of gallery which
passed along the front of the
rooms.
Fritz remained by me while ]
examined the object through my
spyglass.
ut is, as l feared, an enormous
serpent" cried 1; "it advances
directly this way, and we shall
be placed in the greatest posi-
BILE danger, for it will the
bridge to a certainty
May we not attack it, father?"
exclaimed the brave boy.
"Only with the greatest eau
tion,' returned l.; sit is far too
formidable, and too tenacious OF
life, for us rashly to attempt its
destruction. Thank God, we are at
Rockburg, where we al keep in
safe retreat, while we watch for
an opportunity to destroy this
frightful enemy. Go up to your
mother now, and assist in pre-
pairing the firearms; l will join
you directly, but I must further
observe it's movements"
Fritz left me unwillingly, while
l continued to watch the serpent.
which was of gigantic size, and
already much too near the bridge
to admit of the possibility of re-
moving that means of access to
our dwelling. | recollected, too,
how easily it would pass through
the walls. The reptile advanced
with writing and undulatory
movements, from time to time
rearing it's head to the height Of
fifteen OF twenty feet, and slow
ly turning it about, as though on
the lookout for prey.
AS it crossed the bridge, with
a slow, suspicious motion, I with
drew, and hastily rejoined my
little party, which was preparing
to garrison our fortress in war
like array, but with considerable
trepidation, which my presence
served in a measure to allay.
We placed ourselves at the up
per openings, after strongly bar
ricading everything below, and,
ourselves unseen, awaited with
beating hearts the further ad-
vance of the foe, which speedily
became visible to us.
It's movements appeared to be-
come uncertain, as though puz-
zled by the trace of human hab-
itation; it turned in different d.
rections, coiling and uncoiling, and
frequently rearing its head, but
keeping about the middle of the
space in front Of the cave, when
suddenly, as though unable to re-
sist doing so, one after another
of the boys fired. and even their
mother discharged her gun. The
shots took not the slightest ef-
feet beyond startling the monster,
whose movements we're accelerat-
ed. Fritz and l also fired with
steadier aim, but with the same
want of success, for the monster.
passing on with a gliding motion,
entered the reedy marsh to the
left, and entirely disappeared.
A wonderful weight seemed lift
ed from our hearts, while all
eagerly discussed the vast length
and awful though magnificent ap-
pearance Of the serpent. / had
recognized it as the boa construct
or. 1t was a vast specimen, up
ward OF thirty feet in length.
/ explained to the children that
its name in South America is
Boaguacu; the first syllable of
that word, with the Latin addi-
ton, which indicates that its kills
prey by pressure. Dr. "constric-
tion," gives the name by which it
is commonly known.
The near neighborhood of this
terrific reptile occasioned me the
utmost anxiety; and | desired
that no one should leave the
house on any pretense whatever,
without my express permission.
During three whole days we
were kept in suspense and fear,
not daring to stir above a few
hundred steps from the door, al
though during all that time the
enemy showed no sign of his
presence.
In fact, we might have been in
duced to think the boa had passed
the swamp, and found his
way by some cleft or chasm
through the wall of cliffs beyond,
had not the restless behavior OF
our geese and ducks given proof
that he still lurked in the thlcket
Of reeds which they were accust-
omed to make their nightly rest
ing place.
They swan anxiously about,
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