`Now for the finishing up of this dirty job,' cried I, merrily, as we
all woke up next morning at daybreak. And after the regular work was
done, we commenced operations by raising a stand or rough scaffold on
which the tubs full of blubber were placed and heavily pressed, so that
the purest and finest oil overflowed into vessels underneath.
The blubber was afterwards boiled in a cauldron over a fire kindled at
some distance from our abode, and by skimming and straining through a
coarse cloth, we succeeded in obtaining a large supply of excellent
train oil, which, in casks and bags made of the intestines, was safely
stowed away in the `cellar', as the children called our roughest
store-room.
This day's work was far from agreeable, and the dreadful smell
oppressed us all, more especially my poor wife, who, nevertheless,
endured it with her accustomed good temper. However, she very urgently
recommended that the new island should be the headquarters for another
colony, where, said she, `any animals we leave would be safe from apes
and other plunderers, and where you would find it so very convenient to
boil whale-blubber, strain train oil, and the like'.
This proposal met with hearty approval, especially from the boys, who
were always charmed with any new plan; and they were eager to act upon
it at once. But when I reminded them of the putrefying carcase which
lay there, they confessed it would be better to allow wind and storms,
birds and insects to do their work in purging the atmosphere, and
reducing the whale to a skeleton before we revisited the island.
The idea of a rowing-machine kept recurring to my brain, and I
determined to attempt to make one. I took an iron bar, which when laid
across the middle of the boat projected about a foot each way. I
provided this bar in the middle with ribbed machinery, and at each end
with a sort of nave, in which, as in a cart wheel, four flat spokes, or
paddles, were fixed obliquely. These were intended to do the rowers'
part.
Then the jack was arranged to act upon the machinery in the middle of
the iron cross-bar, in such a way that one of its strong cogwheels bit
firmly into the ribs, so that when it was wound up, it caused the bar
to revolve rapidly, of course turning with it the paddles fixed at
either end, which consequently struck the water so as to propel the
boat.
Although this contrivance left much to be desired in the way of
improvement, still when Fritz and I wound up the machinery, and went
off on a trial trip across the bay, we splashed along at such a famous
rate, that the shores rang with the cheers and clapping of the whole
family, delighted to behold what they considered my brilliant success.
Everyone wanted to go on board, and take a cruise, but as it was
getting late, I could not consent. A trip next day, however, was
promised to Cape Disappointment and the little settlement of Prospect
Hill.
This proposal satisfied everybody. The evening was spent in preparing
the dresses, arms and food which would be required, and we retired
early to rest.
Intending to be out all day, the house was left in good order, and we
departed on our expedition, provided, among other things, with spades
and mattocks, for I wished to get young cocoanut trees and shrubs of
different kinds, that, on our way back, we might land on Whale Island,
and begin our plantation there.
We directed our course towards the opposite side of the bay. The sea
was smooth, my rowing-machine performed its work easily, and leaving
Safety Bay and Shark Island behind us, we enjoyed at our ease the
panorama of all the coast scenery.
Landing near Prospect Hill, we moored the boat, and walked through the
woods to our little farm, obtaining some fresh cocoanuts, as well as
young plants, on the way.
Before coming in sight of the cottage at the farm, we heard the cocks
crow, and I experienced a sudden rush of emotion as the sound recalled
in a degree painfully vivid, the recollection of many a ride and walk
at home, when we would be greeted by just such familiar sounds as we
approached some kind friend's house. Here, but for the unconscious
animals, utter solitude and silence prevailed, and I with my dear
family, whose visit would have been hailed with delight in so many
homes, advanced unnoticed to this lonely cottage.
So long had been our absence that our arrival created a perfect panic.
The original animals had forgotten us, and to their progeny, lambs,
kids, and chickens, who had never seen the face of man, we seemed an
army of fierce foes.
The boys found it impossible to milk the goats, until, by the use of
the lasso, they captured them one after the other, bound their legs,
then giving them salt to lick, they soon obtained a supply of excellent
milk which was poured from the cocoanut shells they used into calabash
flasks, so that we could take with us what was not required at dinner.
The fowls were enticed by handfuls of grain and rice, and my wife
caught as many as she wished for.
We were by this time very ready for dinner, and the cold provisions we
had with us were set forth, the chief dish consisting of the piece of
whale's tongue, which, by the boys' desire, had been cooked with a
special view to this entertainment.
But woeful was the disappointment when the tongue was tasted! One
after another, with dismal face, pronounced it 'horrid stuff,' begged
for some pickled herring to take away the taste of train-oil, and
willingly bestowed on Fangs the cherished dainty.
Fortunately there was a sufficient supply of other eatables, and the
fresh, delicious cocoanuts and goat's milk put everyone in good humour
again.
While the mother packed everything up, Fritz and I got some sugar-cane
shoots which I wished to plant, and then returned to the shore and
again embarked.
Before returning to Whale Island, I felt a strong wish to round Cape
Disappointment and survey the coast immediately beyond, but the
promontory maintained the character of its name, and we found that a
long sandbank, as well as hidden reefs and rocks, ran out a great way
into the sea.
Fritz espying breakers ahead, we put about at once, and aided by a
light breeze, directed our course towards Whale Island.
On landing, I began at once to plant the sugar-cane shoots we had
brought. The boys assisted me for a while, but wearied somewhat of the
occupation, and one after another went off in search of shells and
coral, leaving their mother and me to finish the work.
Presently Jack came back, shouting loudly:
`Father! Mother! Do come and look. There is an enormous skeleton lying
here; the skeleton of some fearful great beast--a mammoth, I should
think.'
`Why Jack!' returned I laughing, `have you forgot our old
acquaintance, the whale? What else could it be?'
`Oh no, father, it is not the whale. This thing has not fish bones, but
real good, honest, huge, beast bones. I don't know what can have become
of the whale--floated out to sea most likely. This mammoth is ever so
much bigger. Come and see!'
As I was about to follow the boy, a voice from another direction
suddenly cried:
`Father! Father! A great enormous turtle! Please make haste. It is
waddling back to the sea as hard as it can go, and we can't stop it.'
This appeal being more pressing, as well as more important, than
Jack's, I snatched up an oar and hastened to their assistance.
Sure enough a large turtle was scrambling quickly towards the water,
and was within a few paces of it, although Ernest was valiantly holding
on by one of its hind legs.
I sprang down the bank, and making use of the oar as a lever, we
succeeded with some difficulty in turning the creature on its back.
It was a huge specimen, fully eight feet long, and being now quite
helpless, we left it sprawling, and went to inspect Jack's mammoth
skeleton, which, of course, proved to be neither more nor less than
that of the whale. I convinced him of the fact by pointing out the
marks of our feet on the ground, and the broken jaws where we had
hacked out the whalebone.
`What can have made you take up that fancy about a mammoth, my boy?'
`Ernest put it into my head, father. He said there seemed to be the
skeleton of an antediluvian monster there, so I ran to look closer, and
I never thought of the whale, when I saw no fish bones. I suppose
Ernest was joking.'
`Whales are generally considered as fishes by those little acquainted
with the animal kingdom, but they belong to the class of mammals, which
comprises man, the monkey tribes, the bats, the dogs and cats, all
hoofed animals, whales and their allies, with other animals, the last
on the list being the sloth.
`The name by which they are distinguished is derived from the Latin
word "mama," a breast, and is given to them because all the species
belonging to this class are furnished with a set of organs called the
mammary glands, secreting the liquid known as milk, by which the young
are nourished.
`The bones of the whale differ from those of animals, simply in being
of a hollow construction, and filled with air so as to render the
carcase more buoyant. The bones of birds are also hollow, for the same
reason, and in all this we see conspicuously the wisdom and goodness of
the great Creator.'
`What a marvellous structure it is, father!' said Fritz. `What a
ponderous mass of bones! Can we not make use of any of them?'
`Nothing strikes me at this moment; we will leave them to bleach here
yet awhile, and perhaps by sawing them up afterwards, make a few
chairs, or a reading-desk for the museum. But now it is time to return
home. Bring the boat round to where the turtle awaits his fate; we must
settle how to deal with him.'
It was soon decided that he must swim. I fastened the empty water-cask
to a long line, one end of which was made fast to the bow of the boat,
the other carefully passed round the neck and fore-paws of the
creature, who was then lifted, so as to let him regain his feet; when
he instantly made for the water, plunged in, the cask floated after
him, and prevented his sinking.
We were all on board in a moment; and the worthy fellow, after vainly
attempting to dive, set himself diligently to swim right forwards,
towing us comfortably after him. I was ready to cut the line on the
least appearance of danger, and kept him on the course for Safety Bay
by striking the water with a boat-hook right or left, according as the
turtle was disposed to turn too much one way or the other.
The boys were delighted with the fun, and compared me to Neptune in his
car, drawn by dolphins, and accompanied by Amphitrite and attendant
Tritons.
We landed safely at the usual place, near Rockburg, and the turtle was
condemned and executed soon afterwards; the shell, which was quite
eight feet long, and three broad, was, when cleaned and prepared, to
form a trough for the water supply at the cave, and the meat was
carefully salted, and stored up for many a good and savoury meal.
It had been my intention to bring a piece of land under cultivation
before the next rainy season, to be sown with different sorts of grain;
but many unforeseen circumstances had intervened to hinder this, and
our animals, unaccustomed to the yoke, were not available for the
plough.
I therefore gave up the idea for the present, and applied myself, with
Ernest's assistance, to completing the loom, which, although the
workmanship was clumsy, I succeeded in making quite fit for use. I had
fortunately in my younger days spent many hours in the workshops of
weavers and other artisans, and therefore I understood more than might
have been expected of their various crafts.
Paste or size was required to smear over the threads; but we could not
spare flour for such a purpose, and I used isinglass, which kept the
warp moist perfectly well, and spared us the necessity of setting up
the loom in a damp uncomfortable place, which has often to be done to
prevent the overdrying of the web.
Of this isinglass I also made thin plates, to be used as window-panes;
they were at least as transparent as horn, and when fixed deep in the
rock and beyond the reach of rain, did good service in admitting light.
Success encouraging me to persevere, I next began harness-making; the
spoils of the chase having furnished us with plenty of leather, with
which I covered light frames of wood, using the hairy moss or lichen
for stuffing, and ere long the animals were equipped with saddles,
stirrups, bridles, yokes and collars, to the very great satisfaction of
their youthful riders and drivers.
This occupation was followed by a great deal of work connected with the
annual return of the herring shoals which now took place; to them
succeeding, as on former occasions, shoals of other fish, and many
seals. More than ever aware of the value of all of these, we did not
fail to make good use of our opportunities, and captured large numbers.
The boys were getting anxious for another shooting expedition; but
before undertaking that, I wished to do some basket-making, as sacks
were beginning to fail us, and there was constant demand for baskets in
which to carry and keep our roots and fruits. Our first attempts were
clumsy enough; but, as usual, perseverance was rewarded, and we
produced a good supply of all sorts and sizes. One very large basket I
furnished with openings through which to pass a strong stick, so that
it might, when heavily laden, be carried by two persons.
No sooner did the children see the force of this idea, than they got a
bamboo, and popping little Franz into the basket, carried him about in
triumph.
This amusement suggested a fresh notion to Fritz. `Oh, father,' cried
he, `don't you think we might make something like this for mother, and
carry her much more comfortably than jolting along in the cart?'
The boys shouted with glee at the proposal, and though their mother
thought the plan feasible enough, she confessed that she did not much
like the thought of sitting in the middle of a basket, and just looking
out now and then over the rim.
However, I assured her it should be a well-shaped comfortable
sedan-chair, or litter; and the next question was how it should be
carried, since the boys could not play the part of Indian
palanquin-bearers, either with safety to their mother, or with any
pleasure to themselves.
`The bull and the buffalo!' cried Jack. `Why not use them for it?
Let's go and try them now!'
Off ran the boys, and in a short time the basket was securely hung
between Storm and Grumble. Fritz and Jack sprang into their saddles,
and Ernest very gingerly deposited himself in the `cradle', as Franz
called it; they set forth at a most sober pace, the animals, who were
perfectly docile, appearing only a little surprised at the new
arrangement.
`Oh, it is so pleasant, mother, it is a delightful motion,' cried
Ernest, as they passed us. `It swings and rocks really soothingly.
Quicker, Fritz! Go quicker!' And the trot pleasing him equally well,
the pace gradually quickened, till the animals were going along at a
rate which shook and jolted the basket about most fearfully.
Ernest called and screamed in vain for a halt. His brothers thought it
capital fun to `shake up' the `professor', and made the circuit of the
level ground near Rockburg, finally pulling up in front of us, like
performers stopping to receive the applause of spectators.
It was impossible to help laughing, the scene was so ridiculous, but
Ernest was very angry with his brothers, his reproaches provoked high
words in reply, and a quarrel was imminent, but I interfered, and
showed them how easily a joke carried too far would lead to disputes
and bad feeling, urging them to avoid on all occasions any breach of
the good fellowship and brotherly love which was the mainstay of our
strength and happiness.
Good humour was soon restored, Ernest himself helped to unharness the
beasts, and got some handfuls of salt and barley to reward their
exertions, saying, that they must have some more palanquin-practise
another day.
I was seated with my wife and Fritz beneath the shade of the verandah,
engaged in wicker-work, and chatting pleasantly, when suddenly Fritz
got up, advanced a step or two, gazing fixedly along the avenue which
led from Jackal River, then he exclaimed:
`I see something so strange in the distance, father! What in the world
can it be? First it seems to be drawn in coils on the ground like a
cable, then uprises as it were a little mast, then that sinks, and the
coils move along again. It is coming towards the bridge.'
My wife took alarm at this description, and calling the other boys,
retreated into the cave, where I desired them to close up the
entrances, and keep watch with firearms at the upper windows.
These were openings we had made in the rock at some elevation, reached
within by steps, and a kind of gallery which passed along the front of
the rooms.
Fritz remained by me while I examined the object through my spy-glass.
`It is, as I feared, an enormous serpent!' cried I. `It advances
directly this way, and we shall be placed in the greatest possible
danger, for it will cross the bridge to a certainty.'
`May we not attack it, father?' exclaimed the brave boy.
`Only with the greatest caution,' returned I. `It is far too
formidable, and too tenacious of life, for us rashly to attempt its
destruction. Thank God we are at Rockburg, where we can keep in safe
retreat, while we watch for an opportunity to destroy this frightful
enemy. Go up to your mother now, and assist in preparing the firearms;
I will join you directly, but I must further observe the monster's
movements.'
Fritz left me unwillingly, while I continued to watch the serpent,
which was of gigantic size, and already much too near the bridge to
admit of the possibility of removing that means of access to our
dwelling. I recollected, too, how easily it would pass through the
walls. The reptile advanced with writhing and undulatory movements,
from time to time rearing its head to the height of fifteen or twenty
feet, and slowly turning it about, as though on the look-out for prey.
As it crossed the bridge, with a slow, suspicious motion, I withdrew,
and hastily rejoined my little party, which was preparing to garrison
our fortress in warlike array, but with considerable trepidation, which
my presence served in a measure to allay.
We placed ourselves at the upper openings, after strongly barricading
everything below, and, ourselves unseen, awaited with beating hearts
the further advance of the foe, which speedily became visible to us.
Its movements appeared to become uncertain, as though puzzled by the
trace of human habitation; it turned in different directions, 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 resist doing so, one after another the boys fired, and even
their mother discharged her gun. The shots took not the slightest
effect beyond startling the monster, whose movements were accelerated.
Fritz and I 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 lifted from our hearts, while all eagerly
discussed the vast length and awful though magnificent appearance of
the serpent. I had recognized it as the boa constrictor. It was a vast
specimen, upwards of thirty feet in length.
I explained to the children that its name in South America is
Boaguacu; the first syllable of that name, with the Latin addition,
which indicates that it kills its prey by pressure, or 'constriction,'
gives the name by which it is commonly known.
The near neighbourhood of this terrific reptile occasioned me the
utmost anxiety; and I desired that no one should leave the house on any
pretence 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, although during all
that time the enemy showed no sign of his presence.
In fact, we might have been induced to think the boa had passed across
the swamp, and found his way by some cleft or chasm through the wall of
cliffs beyond, had not the restless behaviour of our geese and ducks
given proof that he still lurked in the thicket of reeds which they
were accustomed to make their nightly resting place.
They swam anxiously about, and with much clapping of wings and
disturbed cackling, showed their uneasiness; finally, taking wing, they
crossed the harbour, and took up their quarters on Shark's Island.
My quandary increased, as time passed on. I could not venture to
attack with insufficient force a monstrous and formidable serpent
concealed in dense thickets amidst dangerous swamps; yet it was
dreadful to live in a state of blockade, cut off from all the
important duties in which we were engaged, and shut up with our
animals in the unnatural light of the cave, enduring constant anxiety
and perturbation.
Out of this painful state we were at last delivered by none other than
our good old simple-hearted donkey; not, however, by the exercise of a
praiseworthy quality, but by sheer stupidity.
Our situation was rendered the more critical from having no great
stock of provisions, or fodder for the animals; and the hay failing us
on the evening of the third day, I determined to set them at liberty by
sending them, under the guidance of Fritz, across the river at the
ford.
He was to ride Lightfoot, and they were to be fastened together until
safely over.
Next morning we began to prepare for this by tying them in a line, and
while so engaged my wife opened the door, when old Grizzle, who was
fresh and frolicsome after the long rest and regular feeding, suddenly
broke away from the halter, cut some awkward capers, then bolting out,
careered at full gallop straight for the marsh.
In vain we called him by name. Fritz would even have rushed after him,
had not I held him back. In another moment the ass was close to the
thicket, and with a cold shudder of horror, we beheld the snake rear
itself from its lair, the fiery eyes glanced around, the dark deadly
jaws opened widely, the forked tongue darted greedily forth--poor
Grizzle's fate was sealed.
Becoming aware on a sudden of his danger, he 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 a fencer's thrust, the destroyer was upon him,
wound round him, entangled, enfolded, compressed him, all the while
cunningly avoiding the convulsive kicks of the agonized animal.
A cry of horror arose from the spectators of this miserable tragedy.
`Shoot him, father! Oh, shoot him--do save poor Grizzle!'
`My children, it is impossible!' cried I. `Our old friend is lost to us
for ever! I have hopes, however, that when gorged with his prey, we may
be able to attack the snake with some chance of success.'
`But the horrible wretch is never going to swallow him all at once,
father?' cried Jack. `That will be too shocking!'
`Snakes have no grinders, but only fangs, therefore they cannot chew
their food, and must swallow it whole. But although the idea is
startling, it is not really more shocking than the rending, tearing and
shedding of blood which occurs when lions and tigers seize their prey.'
`But,' said Franz, `how can the snake separate the flesh from the
bones without teeth? And is this kind of snake poisonous?'
`No, dear child,' said I, `only fearfully strong and ferocious. And it
has no need to tear the flesh from the bones. It swallows them, skin,
hair and all, and digests everything in its stomach.'
`It seems utterly impossible that the broad ribs, the strong legs,
hoofs and all, should go down that throat,' exclaimed Fritz.
`Only see,' I replied, `how the monster deals with his victim; closer
and more tightly he curls his crushing folds, the bones give way, he is
kneading him into a shapeless mass: He will soon begin to gorge his
prey, and slowly but surely it will disappear down that distended maw!'
My wife, with little Franz, found the scene all too horrible, and
hastened into the cave, trembling and distressed. To the rest of us
there seemed a fearful fascination in the dreadful sight, and we could
not move from the spot. I expected that the boa, before swallowing his
prey, would cover it with saliva, to aid in the operation, although it
struck me that its very slender forked tongue was about the worst
possible implement for such a purpose.
It was evident to us, however, that this popular idea was erroneous.
The act of lubricating the mass must have taken place during the
process of swallowing; certainly nothing was applied beforehand. This
wonderful performance lasted from seven in the morning until noon. When
the awkward morsel was entirely swallowed, the serpent lay stiff,
distorted, and apparently insensible along the edge of the marsh.
I felt that now or never was the moment for attack!
Calling on my sons to maintain their courage and presence of mind, I
left our retreat with a feeling of joyous emotion quite new to me, and
approached with rapid steps and levelled gun, the outstretched form of
the serpent. Fritz followed me closely.
Jack, somewhat timidly, came several paces behind; while Ernest, after
a little hesitation, remained where he was.
The monster's body was stiff and motionless, which made its rolling and
fiery eyes, and the slow spasmodic undulations of its tail more fearful
by contrast.
We fired together, and both balls entered the skull: the light of the
eye was extinguished, and the only movement was in the further
extremity of the body, which rolled, writhed, coiled and lashed from
side to side.
Advancing closer, we fired our pistols directly into its head, a
convulsive quiver ran through the mighty frame, and the boa
constrictor lay dead.
As we raised a cry of victory, Jack, desirous of a share in the glory
of conquest, ran close to the creature, firing his pistol into its
side, when he was sent sprawling over and over by a movement of its
tail, excited to a last galvanic effort by the shot.
Being in no way hurt, he speedily recovered his feet, and declared he
had given it its quietus.
`I hope the terrific noise you made just now was the signal of
victory,' said my wife, drawing near, with the utmost circumspection,
and holding Franz tightly by the hand. `I was half-afraid to come, I
assure you.'
`See this dreadful creature dead at our feet; and let us thank God that
we have been able to destroy such an enemy.'
`What's to be done with him now?' asked Jack.
`Let us get him stuffed,' said Fritz, `and set him up in the museum
amongst our shells and corals.'
`Did anybody ever think of eating serpents?' inquired Franz.
`Of course not!' said his mother. `Why, child, serpents are
poisonous--it would be very dangerous.'
`Excuse me, my dear wife,' said I. `First of all, the boa is not
poisonous; and then, besides that, the flesh even of poisonous snakes
can be eaten without danger; as, for instance, the rattlesnake, from
which can be made a strong and nourishing soup, tasting very like good
chicken broth--of course, the cook must be told to throw away the head,
containing the deadly fangs.
`It is remarkable that pigs do not fear poisonous snakes, but can kill
and eat them without injury. An instance of this occurs to my memory. A
vessel on Lake Superior, in North America, was wrecked on a small
island abounding in rattlesnakes, and for that reason uninhabited.
`The vessel had a cargo of live pigs. The crew escaped to the mainland
in a boat, but the pigs had to be left for some time, till the owner
could return to fetch them, but with the small hope of finding many
left alive.
`To his surprise, the animals were not only alive, but remarkably fat
and flourishing, while not a single rattlesnake remained on the island.
The pigs had clearly eaten the serpents.'
`But might not some other cause have been assigned for their
disappearance?' asked Ernest. `Suppose, for example, that a great
flight of secretary birds had arrived, they might have cleared the
island of rattlesnakes.'
`Oh, what is a secretary bird?' interrupted Franz. `I thought a
secretary meant a man who wrote letters?'
`So it does, Franz, and the bird Ernest spoke of has curious long
feathers projecting from either side of its head, something like pens
stuck behind a man's ear; hence its name.
`It is perfectly true that it lives on snakes, lizards, toads, and
frogs, but, Ernest, I cannot give up my pigs; for, in the first place,
the secretary bird is an inhabitant of Southern Africa, and is never
seen in North America, neither does it ever fly in a flock; still, so
ravenous is its appetite, that, no doubt, even one or two, had they by
some miracle found themselves on Lake Superior, would have been able to
give a very good account of the deadly reptiles, and at least shared in
the glory of their extermination.'
My wife having gone to prepare dinner, we continued talking as we
rested in the shade of some rocks, near the serpent, for a
considerable time. The open air was welcome to us after our long
imprisonment; and we were, besides, desirous to drive off any birds of
prey who might be attracted to the carcase, which we wished to preserve
entire.
My boys questioned me closely on the subject of serpents in general;
and I described to them the action of the poison fangs; how they folded
back on the sides of the upper jaw, and how the poison-secreting
glands, and reservoir are found at the back and sides of the head,
giving to the venomous serpents that peculiar width of head which is so
unfailing a characteristic.
`The fangs are hollow,' said I, `and when the creature bites, the
pressure forces down a tiny drop of the liquid venom, which enters the
wound and, through the veins, quickly spreads over the entire system.
Sometimes, if taken in time, cures are effected, but in most cases the
bite of a serpent is followed by speedy death.'
The children were much interested in my account of the snake-charmers
of India, how they fearlessly handle the most deadly of the serpent
tribe, the Cobra di Capello-or hooded cobra-, cause them to move in
time to musical sounds from a small pipe, twine the reptile about their
arms and bare necks, and then, to prove that the poison fangs have not
been removed, make them bite a fowl, which soon dies from the effects.'
`How is it possible to extract the fangs, father?' asked Ernest.
`No instrument is required,' replied I; `I have read the account
written by a gentleman in India, who saw a snake-charmer catch a large
cobra in the jungle, and for the purpose of removing the fangs, held up
a cloth at which the irritated snake flew, and the fangs being caught
in it, the man seized the reptile by the throat, extracted them, and
then squeezed out the poison, a clear oily substance, upon a leaf.'
`What does the rattle of the rattlesnake look like? And how does it
sound?'
`At the tip of the tail are a number of curious, loose, horny
structures formed of the same substance as the scales. A very good idea
of the structure of the rattle may be formed by slipping a number of
thimbles loosely into each other.
`The rattlesnake lies coiled with its head flat, and the tip of its
tail elevated; when alarmed or irritated it gives a quivering movement
to the tail which causes the joints of the rattle to shake against each
other with a peculiar sound, not easily described; all animals, even
horses newly brought from Europe, tremble at this noise, and try to
escape.'
`What is the best thing to be done for the bite of a serpent?'
inquired Fritz.
`Remedies are very various, very uncertain, and differ with the
species inflicting the bite.
`Suction, ammonia, oil, the use of the knife, application of fresh
mold, lunar caustic, leaves of certain plants, all these and more are
mentioned. There is a creeping plant, called Aristolodochia indica, the
leaves of which have in repeated instances done wonders for fearful
bites. It is found in many parts of the world but most plentifully in
the hotter regions.
`A mode of cure adopted by the natives of India, Ceylon, and parts of
Africa, is by the application of a remarkable object called
snake-stone. These are described as flattish, something like half an
almond with squared ends, rather light, bearing a very high polish, and
of an intense jetty black.
`On being bitten by a cobra, the sufferer applies one of these stones
to each puncture, where they adhere strongly for a time, five or six
minutes being about the average. They seem to absorb the blood as it
flows from the wound, and, at the last fall off, when the danger is
considered to be over.
`But now we must leave this fertile subject of discussion, and I can
only say I sincerely trust we may never have cause to resume it from
the appearance of another serpent here of any sort, size, or
description.
`But come, Ernest, can you not give us an epitaph for our unfortunate
friend the donkey? We must afford him more honourable sepulture than he
enjoys at present, when we proceed, as we speedily must, to disembowel
his murderer.'
Ernest took the matter quite seriously, and planting his elbows on his
knees, he bent his thoughtful brow in his hands, and remained wrapt in
poetic meditation for about two minutes.
`I have it!' cried he. `But perhaps you will all laugh at me?'
`No, no, don't be shy, old fellow; spit it out!' and thus encouraged by
his brother, Ernest, with the blush of a modest author, began:
`Beneath this stone poor Grizzle's bones are laid,
`A faithful ass he was, and loved by all.
`At length, his master's voice he disobeyed,
`And thereby came his melancholy fall.
`A monstrous serpent, springing from the grass,
`Seized, crushed, and swallowed him before our eyes.
`But we, though yet we mourn our honest ass,
`Are grateful; for he thereby saved the lives
`Of all the human beings on this shore--
`A father, mother, and their children four.'
`Hurrah for the epitaph! Well done, Ernest!' resounded on all sides,
and taking out a large red pencil I used for marking wood, the lines
were forthwith inscribed on a great flat stone, being, as I told the
boy, the very best poetry that had ever been written on our coast.
We then had dinner, and afterwards went to work with the serpent. The
first operation was to recover the mangled remains of the ass, which
being effected, he was buried in the soft marshy ground close by, and
the hole filled up with fragments of rock.
Then we yoked Storm and Grumble to the serpent, and dragged it to a
convenient distance from Rockburg, where the process of skinning,
stuffing, and sewing up again afforded occupation of the deepest
interest to the boys for several days.
We took great pains to coil it round a pole in the museum, arranging
the head with the jaws wide open, so as to look as alarming as
possible, and contriving to make eyes and tongue which were quite
sufficient to represent nature; in fact, our dogs never passed the
monster without growling, and must have wondered at our taste in
keeping such a pet.
Over the entrance leading to the museum and library were inscribed
these words:
NO ADMITTANCE FOR ASSES
The double meaning of this sentence pleased us all immensely.