260 THE “SNAKES: OF “SOUTE! AFRICA: 
stepping forward again, I noticed my friend was standing stiff 
and still. Then my eyes caught a glint of yellow, and a blackish 
patch. Yes, it was a Black-necked Cobra or Imfezi (Naia 
nigricollis) with forepart of body reared nearly two feet vertically, 
and hood fully expanded. There it stood, rigid, except for a 
slight, gentle movement from side to side. Its shiny black eyes 
Fic. 104.—A juvenile snake charmer. This is Desmond 
FitzSimons and his collection of pet Mole and 
House Snakes. 
were intently fixed upon my friend. Becoming alarmed for my 
friend’s safety, I hastened forward and killed the snake with my 
staff. 
Glancing at the young man’s face, I was amazed to observe that 
it was fixed and set, the eyes staring rigidly in the direction of the 
Cobra. 
I grasped his arm and shook him, whereupon a tremor ran 
through his frame, and, with a gasp and a succession of deep sobs, 
he collapsed and lay quite limp. 
