NATUEAL HISTOEY NOTES 
177 
small snakes of which we had seen several during the preceding 
day. There was, however, nothing to be seen in the direction 
in which he pointed, but the next minute I noticed a brown 
streak going full speed in the direction of a termite hill and 
about twenty feet from where I stood. I recognised in it 
immediately a very large spitting cobra, not far short of five 
feet if any. 
Eunning after it, I struck it a blow on the end of its tail 
to check its career, hoping if possible to catch it alive ; it did a 
half-turn and so did I, but almost without a pause it continued 
its course, and I followed, striking it on the back and, knowing 
what to expect, turned round on my heel presenting my back 
to the enemy, and next moment received a spray of venom all 
over my coat. In turning, I caught a glimpse of the cobra 
swinging round and erecting three feet of its body, swaying with 
spread hood ; it was a very fine sight and one I would not readily 
have missed. The moment it had spat I chased it again, but 
it was almost on to the heap, and the next moment vanished 
down a hole. I returned and searched the heap an hour later, 
but no sign. 
At mid-day next day I was off to the heap, provided with a 
pair of goggles. I should perhaps say that this termite's heap 
had a diameter of about twenty feet and was overgrown with 
weeds and grass as is usual to a height of two feet. Well, I 
circled the heap and walked all over it, and never a sign of the 
snake, which I supposed was taking a day in bed after yester- 
day’s excitement. I had given up all hope of seeing it and was 
standing by the side of the heap with the grass above my kneeg, 
when I fancied I heard a rustle — all the grass was a-rustle with 
the breeze, however, but just in case ... I casually struck 
the ground near me with my stick and listened . . . silence. 
I next tried about a yard almost in front of me, scarcely 
expecting any answer, but the effect was like pressing an 
electric-light button, for swiftly and suddenly up shot that 
blessed reptile, swaying its hood (being on the side) on a level 
with my chest and scarce a yard from my face. My goggles, 
which were on my chin, were over my eyes in a jiffy, and I 
whacked the snake on the side a few inches below the hood 
with my stick. 
It appeared to fall over the stick, and I tried to heave it 
