in charge of our black servant, Chumbo, we set
off to get a shot at the wild-fowl, some of which the doctor wanted to
stuff, while we agreed they would also serve us for dinner. The reeds
being very high, we soon lost sight of each other. I had gone some way,
supposing that I was at a distance from my companions, and was on the
point of firing at some wild-fowl which rose in the air, when, just
close to the water, I heard the doctor shout out in a voice of terror,
which I was sure he would not have done without good cause. I rushed
forward as fast as I could through the reeds, when what was my horror to
see an enormous anaconda, capable of swallowing a foal or a young calf
at a gulp, with its head raised within a few feet of his shoulders, and
apparently about to seize him in its deadly embrace. Either his gun was
unloaded, or terror prevented him from using it.

Hastily ramming a bullet down my fowling-piece, I raised it to fire,
hoping earnestly that I might take good aim. My worthy friend's life
depended on my doing: so, for in another instant the monster might
envelop him in its huge folds. I shall not forget in a hurry the look
of horror depicted in the worthy doctor's countenance. Taking steady
aim, I fired, and the bullet happily went crashing through the
anaconda's head. Though the creature was not killed, its head dropped,
and the doctor had time to spring forward and escape its fangs, which
almost grazed his arm. I shouted to him while I was reloading my gun.
In a moment he was himself again, and imitating my example, got his
weapon ready to fire down the serpent's throat should it again lift its
head. It quickly gave him an opportunity; and the second shot had the
effect of making it roll over and over in a most extraordinary fashion.

I was glad to keep out of its way, and so was the doctor, whom, by
making a circuit, I rejoined.

"I hope this marsh is not frequented by other snakes of the same
species," he observed. "If it is, I propose that we beat a retreat
while we can do so with whole bones. But I should like to have that
fellow's skin; it would be a prize worth possessing. However, I don't
feel inclined to approach it nearer."

"Nor do I; but probably in a few minutes it will be dead," I said.

"Not quite sure of that," replied the doctor; "serpents have wonderful
vitality. But if we could get near enough to cut off its tail, we
should soon kill it."

I undertook to make the attemp