262 N A R R O W E S C A P E. 



this dread gradually wore off, it was occasionally refreshed 

 in the memory by some narrow escape from being bitten. 



For example, I once shot a coran across the Umganie, 

 and as it fell amongst some long grass and bushes, I could 

 not find it, and for some time pushed the grass about with 

 my ramrod. Suddenly a something, that looked like a 

 broad dead leaf, rose up almost under my hand from 

 amongst the brushwood that I had turned over. It was 

 about a foot from me, and only attracted my attention 

 by a sort of waving motion, as it was a good deal con- 

 cealed by the grass, and upon looking at it, I perceived 

 it was a hideous cobra, with its hood extended. I stood 

 like a statue, and the snake dropped down and glided 

 away. Why it did not bite me I know not, as I must 

 have struck it unintentionally with my ramrod. These 

 things are over in a few seconds, but one travels over a 

 long space of time during their occurrence, and the 

 impressions which they leave are most vivid. 



When it slid away I first truly realized the danger in 

 which I had been, and jumped from the spot as though 

 the ground had been red-hot. I feared also that I might 

 have been bitten unconsciously, and was thus anything but 

 happy for several hours. I searched no more for my 

 wounded coran in that place ! 



I was in the habit of batting morning and evening 

 in the Natal Bay, and selected some old piles, the 

 remains of a pier, as the most convenient place from 

 which to jump, as the water became deep just beyond the 

 last of them. An old pile-driving machine stood on the 

 sands close by, and it had a low square platform which 



