THE KING OF SOUTH AFRICAN SNAKES 207 



instantly to awake, whereupon it silently glides out of sight 

 among the foliage. 



On these occasions if you happen to be between the reptile 

 and its retreat, the chances are you will be bitten. The snake 

 gives you no time to think. The thinking and acting must be 

 simultaneous. A sudden uncoiling, a blur, and next instant the 

 smart of the venom is felt in face, arms, or legs. An impotent 

 struggle of the will against the subtle, paralysing power of the 

 venom, then the cold chills of death are felt stealing through the 

 frame, followed by oblivion and the passing of the spirit into the 

 Beyond. 



A Faithful Dog. 



Near the Tugela River, a Zulu girl was once busy with her duties 

 of rolling up the sleeping mats and brushing out the hut which 

 was the usual circular grass structure, when, to her horror, a large 

 Black Mamba dropped out of the thatch on to the floor. The 

 girl screamed and crouched in a corner, the snake being between 

 her and the small door. Just at that critical instant her pet dog 

 rushed in through the doorway, and, seeing the Mamba advancing 

 upon the girl, he instantly tackled it. The Mamba rained blow 

 after blow upon the dog, who grimly held the snake between his 

 jaws. In a minute or two the venom began to exert its well- 

 known deadly effects. The faithful dog staggered and collapsed, 

 but, with a last expiring effort, he so effectually mangled the 

 snake that it was powerless to escape or attack the girl, who 

 slipped past it and escaped. 



The King of South African Snakes. 



Many and varied are the stories told of the terrible Mambas. 

 Sitting within tlie cheerful glow of camp fires, after a da3''s tough 

 riding and climbing, I have passed many a happy hour listening 

 to thrilling, if legendary tales, of the evil po^^•ers and fierce 

 aggressiveness of the Mamba. I think there is no happier 

 life than to live for months at a time away from all the 

 cares, bickerings, conventionalities, and empty vanity with 

 which town life is so permeated, and with a companion or 

 two, a favourite horse, a few affectionate and devoted dogs. 



