CHAPTER XXXI. 



ONE TWO THREE ! " 



BOB MARSHALL, Dick 

 Brownell, Mr. Godkin 

 and Pongo set off in the 

 direction of the jungle, 

 where they had seen 

 the enormous boa-con- 

 strictor, and all were in 

 high spirits. 



" How do they catch 

 the snakes that we see 

 in museums ? " asked 

 Dick, while they were 

 still some distance from 

 the wood. 



" It is not difficult for 



those who understand the business," re- 

 plied the director. "I have taken a hand 

 in capturing several in India. You have 

 only to wait until they are in a torpid con- 

 dition from gorging themselves, then slip 

 up and fling a blanket over their heads. 

 At the same time, a strong net can be used, 

 and a little dexterity will secure the reptile 

 without much trouble." 



" Did you ever try chloroform ? " asked 

 Bob. 



" No ; although I do not see why it 

 might not be turned to good account." 



"Some years ago," remarked Bob, 

 " when I was in New Yorlc, a big snake, that 

 a man was wheeling in a box, was set free 



by the upsetting of the barrow in the City Hall Park. You ought to have seen 

 the people scatter, though I don't think any of them got out of the way quicker 

 than I did. There was a panic for a time, until one of the trained men from 

 Reiche's place, in the Bowery, appeared, threw a blanket over the snake's head, 

 and then easily lifted him into the box." 



