THE HOUSE SNAKES. 93 
the Brown House Snake, are the two best known. They are called 
House Snakes because they are so frequently found in and about 
the dwellings of man, attracted thereto by the presence of mice 
and young rats on which they feed. In return for this great 
service men ignorantly kill them at sight, although they are as 
harmless as any innocent lizard. These snakes are simply 
invaluable about farmhouses, and are much more serviceable 
than cats, for they can follow the destructive little rodents right 
down to their secret hiding-places. House snakes are quite 
harmless, and it would be well for all farmers to learn to identify 
them with a view of protecting and shielding them from harm, 
In the House Snake the farmer has a very valuable ally against 
his enemies the rats and mice. 
Late one night at a certain dwelling in Port Elizabeth, close 
to my house, there was 
a great commotion. 
It seems three of the 
inmates returned 
about midnight from a 
party. Arriving on 
the landing half-way 
up, they saw the form 
of a snake by the light 
cast by the candle. 
Holding a_ con- 
i Fic. 40.—A tame Brown House Snake swallowing a 
sultation, the three Weune deaarue 
retired below to seek 
weapons. Meanwhile the landlady, hearing the unusual com- 
motion, sallied forth, accompanied by her two daughters. 
Cautiously peering down the stairs, they descended step by step. 
Without previous warning, a loud hiss struck upon the strained 
ears of the ladies. The form of a snake rapidly vanishing from 
view behind a pedestal, caused such a succession of shrieks that 
I bounded out of bed, hurried on a dressing-gown and rushed 
out of my house to the rescue, fully believing some burglars 
were committing murder. I did not knock. I just went in. 
Cautiously stealing up the stairs were three young men armed with 
weapons. I was much relieved to learn the trouble was only a 
snake. 
By the time it was killed there was many a dent in the hat 
