IN AFRICAN FOREST AND JUNGLE 



snake my first impulse was always to move away 

 quickly. Then, when I thought I was out of danger, 

 I took my hunting-knife and cut a long, somewhat 

 slender stick, then retraced my steps and looked at 

 the snake. It was thick and short, with a triangular 

 head. I could see by the shape of its head that it 

 was poisonous. Raising my stick, I let it fall heavily 

 upon its spine, breaking it and thus preventing the 

 ugly reptile from turning upon me and from retreating 

 or advancing. But the breaking of his spine did not 

 prevent him from hissing at me when I faced him. 

 Another blow crushed his head ; his fangs could not 

 possibly do any more harm, and how big these were ! 

 I cut his head off and threw it away. Then I saw 

 that he had swallowed a tiny little gazelle that was 

 not yet digested. I cut the snake into several pieces 

 to take with me to the camp, for I knew that my 

 hunters were very fond of snakes. Then I retraced 

 my steps towards the camp. 



As I approached, I thought I saw through the 

 jungle a man by the fence just at the foot of the 

 ladder. I was astounded. I could not believe my 

 eyes. Had any one discovered our abode ? Was 

 the inside of our fortress full of enemies waiting for 

 Rogala, Shinshooko, Alapai, and me ? How was it 

 that Andekko did not bark ? Had they killed dear 



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