ADVENTURE WITH A GRASS SNAKE. 403 
given, either by their hissing, or their rnstling 
retreat through the grass. 
A wonderful instance of presence of mind 
in connection with one of these snakes, was 
once shown by an officer of the Eifle Brigade, 
(known to the Author) whilst out shooting 
in Kaffirland, He and his companion had been 
regaling themselves at " tiffen" seated on a 
grassy knoll ; and when about to resume their 
sport, and in the act of rising, this young man 
placed his right hand on the ground beside 
him. He instantly became aware that, in 
doing so, he had placed it on a large grass 
snake : he felt the reptile trying to drag its 
neck and head from beneath his grasp, and, 
at the same time, it wound its body and tail 
closely round his arm. His companion, seeing 
this, became so stupified from fright that he 
could render no assistance, and sat in mute 
horror, which was, however, soon turned alter- 
nately to wonder, admiration, and thankfulness. 
His friend feeling the position he was in, in- 
stantly pressed his hand firmer on the snake, 
(instead of suddenly withdrawing it, as ninety- 
nine out of a hundred persons under the same 
circumstances would have done,) and having 
ascertained that he had luckily placed it on 
the back of the snake's neck and head, he thus 
prevented it from drawing itself through his 
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