CHAPTER XIV 
SNAKES 
Though the snake does not account for so great 
a number of natives as either the lion or crocodile, 
it is a source of danger ever present to the mind of 
him who dwells in the pori, so much so that, after 
some years of life in the wild, the mind becomes 
instinctively alert to the possibility of encountering 
these reptiles, and when trudging through the bush 
the eye is always on the watch for them. In this 
respect, the native’s vision is intensely keen, and 
the readiness with which he distinguishes the 
reptile’s body from the very similar appearance of 
the dense vegetation around is astonishing. Before 
spreading a blanket on which to lie, it is always 
customary to scrutinize the ground for snakes, 
though I have often seen natives, with their happy- 
go-lucky natures, fling themselves down without a 
thought. 
Once, when travelling between Beira and the 
Zambesi River, as my carriers were a long way 
