80 CRUSOE'S ISLAND. 



The bamboos, as of course you know, grow alto- 

 gether in the tropics, and are very fine objects in the 

 landscape there. The clumps of bamboo that I saw 

 on the hillside seemed so attractive that I thought I 

 would go up to examine them. 



If a native of the island had been with me I 

 should not have done such a thing, for he would have 

 warned me against it. But, being alone, I rashly 

 ventured, not knowing that anything more harmful 

 than birds or lizards ever inhabited the pretty clusters 

 of long, lancelike bamboo shafts, with their yellow 

 stems and narrow green leaves. 



I selected one of the largest clumps and, with my 

 gun in the hollow of my arm, advanced upon it, as 

 though going forward to storm a fort. For when in 

 the forests of a strange land I always use caution in 

 whatever I do, and hold my gun ready for instant use. 



But, notwithstanding my caution, I did not expect 

 the surprise in store for me. I noticed that some of 

 the bamboo shafts were swaying wildly, as if a storm 

 was beating on them, though the air was calm and no 

 wind was blowing. This fact excited my suspicions, 

 and I scanned the clump narrowly before approach- 

 ing nearer than thirty feet. 



And it was well I did so, for, as I halted a moment 

 to examine the shafts, out sprang an immense boa con- 

 strictor, to the length of more than half his hideous 

 body. His tail and the lower half of his shining body 

 were enwrapped about two or three of the bamboo 

 stems, while the front half and the great head, with 

 its glittering eyes and open mouth, were launched into 



