176 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



to grapple with the snake, and to get hold of his tail 

 before he could do any mischief. 



On pinning him to the ground with the lance, he 

 gave a tremendous loud hiss, and the little dog ran 

 away, howling as he went. We had a sharp fray in 

 the den, the rotten sticks flying on all sides, and each 

 party struggling for superiority. I called out to the 

 second negro to throw himself upon me, as I found I 

 was not heavy enough. He did so, and the additional 

 weight was of great service. I had now got firm hold 

 of his tail ; and after a violent struggle or two, he gave 

 in, finding himself overpowered. This was the moment 

 to secure him. So, while the first negro continued to 

 hold the lance firm to the ground, and the other was 

 helping me, I contrived to unloose my braces, and with 

 them tied up the snake's mouth. 



The snake now finding himself in an unpleasant situa- 

 tion, tried to better himself, and set resolutely to work, 

 but we overpowered him. "We contrived to make him 

 twist himself round the shaft of the lance, and then 

 prepared to convey him out of the forest. I stood at 

 his head, and held it firm under my arm, one negro 

 supported the belly, and the other the tail. In this 

 order we began to move slowly towards home, and 

 reached it after resting ten times ; for the snake was 

 too heavy for us to support him without stopping to 

 recruit our strength. As we proceeded onwards with 

 him, he fought hard for freedom, but it was all in vain. 

 The day was now too far spent to think of dissecting 

 him. Had I killed him, a partial putrefaction would 

 have taken place before morning. I had brought with 

 me up into the forest a strong bag, large enough to con- 

 tain any animal that I should want to dissect. I 



