CHAPTER XV. 



Kaffir killed by a snake Medicine necklaces Narrow escape Puff- 

 adders Adventure with a black snake Snakes distressed by their 

 own poison Poison-spitting snake A day's sport Boa-constrictor 

 killed Its mode of attack Size of the slain snake Secretary-bird. 



ONE morning Inyovu, in great distress, came to tell me 

 that his father had been bitten by a very poisonous snake, 

 and he was afraid that he would not live. As his kraal 

 was only ten miles distant, I determined to ride over, and 

 see what aid I could give ; taking with me some eau de luce 

 and a sharp penknife, in case it was requisite. Upon 

 arriving at the huts, all appeared calm and tranquil, and I 

 hoped that the man had recovered. I was, however, 

 coolly informed that he had been dead some time. 

 Inquiring into the matter, I found that the snake was a 

 large black one, called by the Kaffirs M'namba Umkulu, 

 or great puff-adder; it did not resemble the ordinary 

 puff-adder in colour, size, or character, being larger, quite 

 black, and having none of the peculiar puffing which the 

 puff-adder always shows when he is irritated. The larger 

 snake is as highly poisonous as the common puff-adder, 

 and quite as much dreaded. The man was bitten 

 in the leg, above the knee, and not having his snake- 

 charm with him at the time, of course could not hope 

 to be saved. These charms are of peculiar kinds of wood, 

 and are worn round the neck, and strung like beads; 

 the bits of wood being of all shapes, and about the size of 



