174 NARRATIVE OF AN 



CHAP, oil, Sec. In order to effect this purpofe, the neff ro David 



VII 



having climbed up a tree with the end of the rope, let 

 it down over a ftrong forked bough, and the other ne- 

 groes hoifted up the fnake, and fufpended him from the 

 tree. This done, David, v/ith a fharp knife between his 

 teeth, now left the tree, and clung faft upon the monfter, 

 which was ftill twifting, and began his operations by 

 ripping it up, and ftripping down the fkin as he defcend- 

 ed. Though I perceived that the animal w^as no longer 

 able to do him any injury, I confefs I could not without 

 emotion fee a man ftark naked, black and bloody, cling- 

 ing with arms and legs round the Himy and yet living 

 monfter. This labour, however, was not without its ufe, 

 liQce he not only dexteroufly finiflied the operation, but 

 provided me, beiides the fkin, with above four gallons of 

 fine clarified fat, or rather oil, though there was wafted 

 perhaps as much more. This 1 delivered to the furgeons 

 at Devil's Harwar, for the ufe of the wounded men in 

 the hofpital, for which I received their hearty thanks, it 

 being confidered, particularly for bruifes, a very excel- 

 lent remedy. When I fignified my furprize to fee the 

 fnake ft:ill living, after he was deprived of his iotef- 

 tines and fkin, Caramaca, the old negro, whether from 

 experience or tradition, afTured me he would not die 

 till after fun-fet. The negroes now cut him in flices, in 

 order to drefs and feafl upon him, they all declaring that 

 he was exceedingly good and wholefome ; bvit to their 



great 



