272 AROUND THE WORLD VIA INDIA. 



did not know but some of these terrible beasts might 

 be at liberty in that large imperfectly lighted room, 

 and breathed easy again only after we had left the room 

 and the door was shut and securely locked. 



It was prearranged that I should become more fa- 

 miliar with the dangerous part of the anatomy of cobra 

 and viper. We ascended the broad staircase leading 

 to the second floor and entered the office of the superin- 

 tendent of the laboratory, Lieut-Col. Bannerman, who on 

 this occasion extended so many courtesies to me. He 

 sent for the "snakeman," and in a very short time 

 three coolies made their appearance with as many snakes 

 in their cages, one cobra and two vipers. I was to 

 witness the "milking" of their poison sacs. I begged to 

 be informed beforehand how this was to be done in 

 order that I might make my own plans of conduct for 

 safet}^ during the ordeal. The superintendent smiled 

 and said : "You must see for yourself." The snakes 

 were in an offensive attitude, as they had undergone 

 this procedure repeatedly and had learned by experience 

 to dread it. I could see no opening in the boxes through 

 which the snakes could be made hors de combat. 



The "snakeman" was a very slender coolie, with very 

 long, thin arms and legs, and fingers like the claws of 

 a monkey. (Fig. 53.) 



The cobra, with its raised, expanded head in striking 

 position came first. The man held a smooth stick the 

 size of an ordinary cane and about two feet in length 

 in his left hand. Suddenly, standing behind the box 

 with the wire screen directed toward him, he threw 

 open the opposite side with a lightning jerk and out 

 shot the angry monster, and in undulating rapid move- 

 ments advanced toward me. A quick retreat on my 

 part behind the table increased the distance between 

 us. Before the snake had advanced three feet the 

 "snakeman" grasped the end of his tail with a light- 

 ning movement of the right hand, lifted it high in the 

 air, and with tho stick passed from tail to neck pre- 



