OUTA SNAKE. 
183 
during certain months in the year, and has been the 
grave of a great number of Europeans. The rock re- 
flects the sun’s rays with an intensity scarcely support-^ 
able, and yet this dreadful spot has been assigned as 
a station for invalid pensioners ; for what reason I 
cannot imagine, unless that it is the most convenient 
place that could have been selected to get rid of in- 
cumbrances. 
Before we quitted Chunar, our dandies, who had 
kindled a fire on the bank of the river, were dressing 
their rice and curry, when, a small snake approaching 
the place where they were seated, one of them rose 
and despatched it with a piece of bamboo. It was 
about twenty-five inches long, entirely white, except 
the top of the head, which was a deep shining black. 
This particular species is called by the natives the 
outa snake. It is very rare, and of peculiar habits. 
These creatures always go in pairs, and it is remark- 
able that, if one is killed either by man or beast, 
the survivor will follow, until it is either destroyed, 
or obtains its revenge by biting the author of its be- 
reavement. It has been known under such circum- 
stances to keep up the pursuit with the most patient 
perseverance for upwards of three hundred miles. The 
little creature, whose mate was killed by one of our 
boatmen, was seen after we had pushed from the shore, 
gliding along the bank of the stream in a direct line 
with our boat, and when we reached Cawnpoor, there 
we found it ready to deal its vengeance upon the 
wanton destroyer of its conjugal felicity. It was 
despatched before it could put its evil intention into 
execution. 
