A BIG SNAKE. 245 



further part of the chamber, under the overhanging 

 rocks. The coolies were posted with lathies and 

 axes along the passage the snake was likely to 

 take, while I endeavoured to dislodge him with a 

 shot in the body ; no sign of his head could be 

 seen. Telling the men to be careful of his rush 

 should he be a King-Cobra, I fired into the cave 

 and then bolted to one side. 



Not a stir or rustle to show that the shot had 

 taken effect, neither did the reptile whatever it 

 was charge out of the hole. When the smoke 

 had cleared away we could still see the coils 

 round the rock, and fancying the snake was dead 

 we got a long stick with a crook at the end and 

 endeavoured to haul it out ; but the united efforts 

 of six of us could not move it an inch. Beyond 

 an occasional hiss, the monster gave no other 

 signs of life than a convulsive clinging to the rock 

 round which it had thrown its folds. I now tried 

 the effects of a second shot, aiming with great care 

 at the body, as I was inclined to think my first 

 shot had missed. There was no doubt that this 

 shot had gone home, as the brute at once uncoiled 

 and made for the entrance ; but the sight of so 

 many foes ready to do battle, sent it back to its 

 shelter again. A third shot, and this time the 

 creature was fairly out of the hole and making down- 

 hill at good speed, the coolies belabouring it with 

 clubs. We now saw that it was a rock snake or boa, 

 common to many parts of India, and non-poisonous. 

 Finding itself hard pressed by its human foes, the 

 creature turned round and again made for its hole, 



