542 TRAVELS IN THE EAST INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO. 



together, and thought of his broad-axe, and, bringing 

 it to the side of the boat, held up the handle, so that 

 I could seize it while the reptile was coiling up from 

 the last stunning blow. The next time he darted at 

 me I gave him a heavy cut about iifteen inches be- 

 hind his head, severing the body completely off, ex- 

 cept about an inch on the under side, and, as he coiled 

 up, this part fell over, and he fastened his teeth into 

 his own coils. One cut more, and I seized a rope, 

 and, in an instant, I tugged him over the boat's side, 

 across the deck, and over the ship's rail into the sea. 

 The long trail of his blood on the deck assured me 

 that I was indeed safe, and, drawing a long breath 

 of relief, I thanked the Giver of all our blessings. 



This was my last experience in the tropical East. 

 A breeze sprang up, and the ship took me rapidly 

 away toward the great empire of China, where I 

 travelled for a year, and passed through more con- 

 tinued dangers and yet greater hardships than in 

 the East Indian Archij)elago, 



