IN AFRICAN FOREST AND JUNGLE 



^ could seize it in an instant if necessary, and two 

 ullets by its side. 



I went first under the waterfall. It was very re- 



•eshing, for not a breath of air could be felt. Then 



I looked in the pool. No snake was there, but 



ist as I was ready to take a plunge I saw a big 



ne creeping along the ground. I had hardly time 



3 look at the reptile before it was in the water. 



The ugly creature was black, and yellow under the 



tomach — his head was triangular, thus showing that* 



le was venomous — and about ten feet in length. 



The water did not appear to me nice any more. I 



ushed after my gun, then looked at the snake, which 



7as swimming very fast and had the same motion as 



.n eel. I dressed myself quickly, then, gun in hand, 



I watched for him to swim to the surface of the 



^ater. I had not to wait long before he appeared, 



•vhen I fired the load of small shot, broke his back, 



.nd the reptile sank to the bottom. 



Soon after I saw Rogala through the jungle coming 

 owards me. He had heard the report of the gun, and 

 :ame to see if I had killed anything. I pointed to the 

 bottom of the pool. When he saw the snake, a broad 

 rrin of delight came over his face and he said : " The 

 snake is big and fat, and we shall have plenty to eat.'* 

 He cut a long, slender, cane-like tree, and succeeded 



69 



