THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 501 



of pigs, they sprang behind trees to await their approach. In his 

 haste Du Chaillu stumbled over some large object lying in his 

 path, and looking down, he was horrified to see an immense ser- 

 pent of the boa species snugly coiled up beside the roots of his 

 tree. The thing was in a state of stupefaction, consequent upon 

 having eaten too heavy a dinner. It scarcely moved, and did not 

 raise its head. Securing a heavy cutlass, carried by one of his 

 men', at a single blow he cut the reptile almost in two, when it 

 began to squirm in a most horrible fashion, and soon ejected a 

 small deer which it had swallowed. 



After killing the serpent they proceeded with the hunt, and 

 having secured sufficient game, returned to a neighboring village 

 to spend the night. Just before dark, Du Chaillu was astonished 

 to see a party of his men approaching with the dead snake in their 

 arms ; they had brought it to camp for the purpose of having 

 a grand feast, as they consider the flesh of the serpent superior 

 to any other kind of meat. 



In 1867 Du Chaillu returned to America, where he published a 

 history of his wonderful adventures, which elicited the profound 

 attention of the civilized world. Since then he has traveled and 

 lectured extensively in the United States, and has also written 

 much for the press. During the years 187273 he traveled 

 through Sweden, Norway, Lapland and Finland, returning to 

 New York in 1873, where he has since resided. 



36 



