172 NARRATIVE OF AN 



CHAP, upon a branch, for the purpofe of taking a furer aim, 

 y_ . fired ; but miffing the head, the ball went through the 

 body, when the animal ftruck round, and with fuch 

 ail:onifliing force as to cut away all the underwood around 

 him with the facility of a fcythe mowing grafs ; and by 

 flouncing his tail, caufed the mud and dirt to fly over 

 our heads to a conllderable diflance. Of this proceeding 

 however we were not torpid fpedlators, but took to our 

 heels, and crouded into the canoe. The negro now in- 

 treated me to renew the charge, afluring me the fnake 

 would be quiet in a few minutes, and at any rate perfill:- 

 ing in the affertion that he was neither able nor inclined 

 to purfue us; which opinion he fupported by walking 

 before me, till I fliould be ready to fire. And thus I again 

 undertook to make the trial, efpecially as he faid that his 

 firft ftarting backwards had only proceeded from a defire 

 to make room for me. I now found the fnake a little re- 

 moved from his former ftation, but very quiet, with his 

 head as before, lying out among the fallen leaves, rotten 

 bark, and old mofs. I fired at it immediately, but with no 

 better fuccefs than the other time : and now, being but 

 flightly wounded, he fent up fuch a cloud of duft and dirt, 

 as I never faw but in a whirlwind, and made us once more 

 fuddenly retreat to our cnnoe ; where now, being heartily 

 tired of the exploit, I gave orders to row towards the 

 barge : but David ftill intreating me to permit Mm to 

 kill the animal, I was, by his perfuafions, induced to 

 make a third and laft attempt, in company with him. 



Thus, 



