SOUTH AMERICA. 201 

 When we got up to the place, the serpent had not Third 



Journey. 



stuTed, but I could see nothing of his head, and I judged 



by the folds of his body that it must be at the farthest 

 side of his den. A species of woodbine had formed a 

 complete mantle over the branches of the fallen tree, 

 almost impervious to the rain, or the rays of the sun. 

 Probably he had resorted to this sequestered place for a 

 length of time, as it bore marks of an ancient settle- 

 ment. 



I now took my knife, determining to cut away the Prepares to 



grapple 



woodbine, and break the tAvigs in the gentlest manner with the 



Snake. 



possible, till I could get a view of his head. One negro 

 stood guard close behind me with the lance ; and near 

 him the other with a cutlass. The cutlass which I had 

 taken from the first negro, was on the ground close by 

 me in case of need. 



After working in dead silence for a quarter of an hour, 

 with one knee all the time on the ground, I had cleared 

 away enough to see his head. It appeared coming out 

 betwixt the first and second coil of his body, and was fiat 

 on the ground. This was the very position I wished it 

 to be in. 



I rose in silence, and retreated very slowly, making a 

 sign to the negroes to do the same. The dog was sitting 

 at a distance in mute observance. I could now read in 

 the face of the negroes, that they considered this as a 

 very unpleasant affkir ; and they made another attempt 



2 D 



