A DREADFUL SNAKE. 777 



up their quarters in the town ; a privilege which was denied 

 them so long as it was known that they had the remains of the 

 dead with them. 



From Kasekera we must follow Susi's troop through a not 

 altogether eventless journey to the sea. Some days after leav- 

 ing Kasekera, as they wended their way through a rocky place, 

 a little girl in their train, named Losi, met her death in a 

 shocking way. It appears that the poor child was carrying a 

 water-jar on her head in the file of people, when an enormous 

 snake dashed across the path, deliberately struck her in the 

 thigh, and made for a hole in the jungle close at hand. This 

 work of a moment was sufficient, for the poor girl fell mortally 

 wounded. She was carried forward, and all means at hand 

 were applied, but in less than ten minutes the last symptom 

 (foaming at the mouth) set in, and she ceased to breathe. 



Here is a well-authenticated instance which goes far to prove 

 the truth of an assertion made to travellers in many parts of 

 Africa. The natives protest that one species of snake will de- 

 liberately chase and overtake his victim with lightning speed, 

 and so dreadfully dangerous is it, both from the activity of its 

 poison and its vicious propensities, that it is perilous to approach 

 its quarters. Most singular to relate, an Arab came to some of 

 the men after their arrival at Zanzibar and told them that he 

 had just come by the Unyanyembe road, and that, whilst pass- 

 ing the identical spot where this disaster occurred, one of the 

 men was attacked by the same snake, with precisely the same 

 results; in fact, when looking for a place in which to bury him 

 they saw the grave of Losi, and the two lie side by side. 



Natal colonists will probably recognize the Mamba in this 

 snake; it is much to be desired that specimens should be pro- 

 cured for purposes of comparison. In southern Africa so great 

 is the dread it inspires that the Caffres will break up a kraal 

 and forsake the place if a Mamba takes up his quarters in the 

 vicinity, and, from what we have seen above, with no undue 

 caution. 



Susi, to whom this snake was known in the Shupanga tongue 

 as " Bubu," describes it as about twelve feet long, dark in color, 

 of a dirty blue under the belly, with red markings, like the 

 wattles of a cock, on the head. The Arabs go so far as to say 



