188 ANECDOTES 



We had not reached the boat many minutes, 

 when one of the pointers was seized with a fit, 

 and died instantly. No doubt was entertained, 

 by any of us, but that it was owing to his having 

 been bitten by one of the snakes, and as long as 

 he continued muscular action in running about, 

 the venom had not its full effect, but as soon as 

 that stimulus ceased it had. 



Some months after this, as I was sleeping on a 

 bed, without covering, in the open air, under the 

 thatch of a house, I was awakened by a smart 

 bite in my great toe ; on turning round, I per- 

 ceived a large black snake on the bed ; I instantly 

 ran into the house, but there being no light, I 

 could not readily find any proper medicine. A 

 bottle, nearly full of Madeira, being on the table, 

 I laid hold of it, and drank the whole, and then 

 commenced running up and down the verandah, 

 which in a very short time threw me into a vio- 

 lent perspiration ; I continued running until quite 

 exhausted. 



I felt a considerable dull pain all up the leg and 

 thigh in which I was bitten, which fixed in the 

 groin, with a slight giddiness, and a strong incli- 



