20S 
TRAVELS IN 
was neceflary alfo that I fliould purchafe a cer- 
tain number of flieep, and I flattered myfelf 
that he had it in his power to fupply me. 
Whilft my people, therefore, were employed 
in arranging my carriages, and preparing to 
proceed, I let out before them, and having 
forded the Kruys on horfeback repaired to the 
plantation. 
Scarcely had I entered into converfation with 
the owner, when his wife, ftarting up In a 
fright, uttered fo piercing a cry that every 
perfon in the houfe ran to her affiftance. Two 
ferpents had actually touched her leg&: upon 
her moving I perceived them under the feat. 
We all armed ourfelves in the befl manner we 
could with chairs and flicks to deftroy them. 
When they faw this preparation, their rage 
was kindled, their eyes became enflamed, and 
raifing their necks, and hifljng in a moft furious 
manner, they attempted to dart upon us ; but 
being upon our guard and attacking them with 
ftill greater violence, they fell a facrifice to our 
repeated blows. It was fortunate for the wo- 
man that fhe had not been bitten; as they 
proved to be of a mofl venomous fpecies, called 
at the Cape hoper-lapel^ and flie would in- 
7 ^ fallibly 
