KILL TWO IMMENSE SNAKES. 243 



to the royal pair. — I presented the queen's 

 mother with a large looking-glass. — After they 

 had sat a short time, her majesty inquired if that 

 was all I was going to give her mother ? adding, 

 that she was a very great woman. I was greatly 

 mortified at her covetousness, and plainly told 

 her, that when Mr. Lander came up the river he 

 made both the king and queen very handsome 

 presents ; and that now we had come for the 

 purpose of trading, and not making presents. 



On the morning of the 31st January, several 

 of the natives were perceived gazing attentively 

 at something in the bush as if there was some- 

 thing there of which they were afraid. I sent 

 ashore to see what was the matter, and was told 

 that they were witnessing a battle between two 

 snakes. I immediately went ashore, taking with 

 me a double-barrelled fowling-piece ; and on land- 

 ing, saw two immense snakes of a darkish colour. 

 They were, however, not fighting, and appeared 

 to be secreting themselves : so, catching a glimpse 

 of one, I fired at him, and completely divided 

 him in two. I then looked for the other, and 

 discovered the monster, with its bright eyes and 

 projected fork : I fired at him, and severed the 

 head from the body, which measured six feet ten 



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